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RESEARCH
BRANCH REPORT

1979

RAPPORT

DE LA DIRECTION

DE LA RECHERCHE

630.7
C212
CANADA
Research

Br. I^Èp Agriculture

r 1979 Canada

c.3

ç\ ^._ .

Research
Branch Rejxrt

1979

Rapport
de la Direction

de la recherche

RESEARCH BRANCH
DIRECTION DE LA RECHERCHE

AGRICULTURE CANADA

Copies of this publication are available from

Research Program Service
Research Branch
Agriculture Canada
Ottawa, Ont.
K1A 0C6

On peut obtenir des exemplaires de cette
publication à la

Service des programmes de recherche
Direction de la recherche
Agriculture Canada
Ottawa (Ont.)
K1A 0C6

©Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1980
Cat. No. A5 1-1/1979 ISBN 0-662-50946-3
Printed 1980

©Ministre des Approvisionnements et Services Canada, 1980
NO de cat. A5 1-1/1979 ISBN 0-662-50946-3
Impression 1980

CONTENTS

Executive of the Research Branch, v L'executif de la Direction de la recherche, v
Planning and Evaluation Directorate, vi Directorat de la planification et de l'évaluation, vi
Finance and Administration Division, vi Division des finances et de l'administration, vi
Map of research establishments, vii Carte des établissements de recherches, vii
Organization of the Research Branch, viii Organisation de la Direction de la recherche, ix
Foreword, x Avant-propos, xi

EASTERN REGION RÉGION DE L'EST

Executive, xv L'executif, xv

Preface, xvii Préface, xvi

Research Stations Stations de recherches

St. John's West, Nfld., 1

Charlottetown, P.E.I., 7

Kentville, N.S., 17

Fredericton, N.B., 31

Lennoxville, Que., 45

Sainte-Foy, Que., 53

Saint-Jean, Que., 65

CENTRAL REGION RÉGION DU CENTRE

Executive, xxi L'executif, xxi

Preface, xxii Préface, xxiii

Research Stations Stations de recherches

Delhi, Ont., 73

Harrow, Ont., 79

Ottawa, Ont., 93

Vineland Station, Ont., 109

Research Institutes and Services Instituts et Services de recherches
Animal Research Institute, 121
Biosystematics Research Institute, 145
Chemistry and Biology Research Institute, 165
Engineering and Statistical Research Institute, 181
Food Research Institute, 191
Land Resource Research Institute, 201
Research Institute, London, Ont., 215
Research Program Service, 225

WESTERN REGION RÉGION DE L'OUEST

Executive, xxvii L'executif xxvii
Preface, xxviii Préface, xxix
Research Stations Stations de recherches

Brandon, Man., 231

Morden, Man., 239

Winnipeg, Man., 249

Melfort, Sask., 265

Regina, Sask., 271

Saskatoon, Sask., 281

Swift Current, Sask., 297

Beaverlodge, Alta., 309

Lacombe, Alta., 317

Lethbridge, Alta., 325

Agassiz, B.C., 349

Kamloops, B.C., 355

Saanichton (Sidney), B.C., 359

Summerland, B.C., 365

Vancouver, B.C., 377

Program Structure, 387 Structure du programme, 393

Dr. E. J. LeRoux

Dr. J. W. Morrison

Dr. J. J. Cartier

Dr. J. G. Saha

Dr. A. A. Guitard

Dr. T. H. Anstey

Mr. J. E. Ryan

EXECUTIVE OF THE RESEARCH BRANCH
L'EXÉCUTIF DE LA DIRECTION DE LA RECHERCHE

Assistant Deputy Minister, Research

Sous-ministre adjoint, recherche

E. J. LeRoux, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Director General, Planning and Evaluation Directorate
Directeur général, Director at de la planification et de l'évaluation

J. W. Morrison, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Director General, Eastern Region

Directeur général, région de l'Est

J. J. Cartier, B.A., B.Sc, Ph.D.

Acting Director General, Central Region
Directeur général intérimaire, région du Centre

J. G. Saha, B.Sc, M.Sc. (Tech.), Ph.D.

Director General, Western Region
Directeur général, région de l'Ouest

A. A. Guitard, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

Senior Adviser, International Research and Development

Conseiller principal, programmes internationaux de recherches et de

développements

T. H. Anstey, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Director, Finance and Administration Division
Directeur, Division des finances et de l'administration

J. E. Ryan, R.I.A.

PLANNING AND EVALUATION DIRECTORATE
Dl RECTORAT DE LA PLANIFICATION ET DE L'ÉVALUATION

Director General/ Directeur général J. W. Morrison, B.Sc., M. Se., Ph.D.

Research Coordinators/ Coordonnateurs de la recherche

Animais I Animaux F. K. Kristjansson, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Crops/ Plantes I. A. de la Roche, B.Sc, M. Se, Ph.D.

Food/ Aliments R. R. Riel, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Production/ Production C. J. Bishop, B.Sc, A.M., Ph.D., F.R.S.C,

F.A.S.H.S., F.A.I.C.

Protection/ Protection R. M. Prentice, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Resources/ Ressources R. L. Halstead, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Analy sts/A nalystes

Contracts/ Contrats J. R. Aitken, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program/ Programmes A. P. Chan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Special Advisers/ Conseillers spéciaux

/KmrmXsl Animaux R. Bouchard, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Forage crops/ Cultures fourragères L. Dessureaux, B.A., B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
SoùsISols Y. Martel, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
DIVISION DES FINANCES ET DE L'ADMINISTRATION

Director/ Directeur J. E. Ryan, R.I.A.

Chief, Finance Section

Chef, Section des finances J. E. Renaud, CD.

Chief, Administration Section

Chef Section de l'administration H. D. Brannen

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ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH BRANCH

ASSISTANT
DEPUTY MINISTER
(RESEARCH)

INTERNATIONAL
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT

FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTOR GENERAL
PLANNING AND
EVALUATION DIRECTORATE

DIRECTOR GENERAL
EASTERN REGION

DIRECTOR GENERAL
CENTRAL REGION

DIRECTOR GENERAL
WESTERN REGION

Research Coordinators

Analysts

Advisers

Research Stations

St John's West, Nfld

Colinet. Nfld
Charlottetown. P E I
Kentville, N S

Nappan, N S
Fredencton, N B

Benton Ridge, N B

Sainte-Mane N B
Lennoxville. Que
Sainte-Foy. Que

La Pocatière. Que

Normandin. Que
Saint-Jean, Que

Frelighsburg, Que

L'Acadie. Que

L'Assomption, Que

Lavaltne, Que

Sainte-Clothilde. Que

Research Institutes

Animal

Biosystematics

Chemistry and Biology

Engineering and Statistical

Food

Land Resource

London

Research Program Service

Research Stations

Delhi, Ont
Harrow, Ont

Woodslee, Ont
Ottawa, Ont

Kapuskasing. Ont

Thunder Bay, Ont
Vineland Station, Ont

Smithfield. Ont

December 1979

Research Stations

Brandon, Man
Morden, Man

Portage la Prairie, Man
Winnipeg, Man
Mellon. Sask
Regina. Sask

Indian Head. Sask
Saskatoon, Sask

Scott. Sask
Swift Current. Sask
Beaverlodge. Alta

Fort Vermilion Alta

Prince George. B C
Lacombe. Alta

Végreville. Alta
Lethbridge. Alta

Onefour (Manybernesi. Alta

Stavely. Alta

Vauxhall. Alta
Agassiz. B C

Abbotsford, B C
Kamloops, B C

Creston, B C
Saanichton (Sidney) BC
Summerland, B C

Kelowna, B C
Vancouver, B C

ORGANISATION DE LA DIRECTION DE LA RECHERCHE

SOUS-MINISTRE

ADJOINT

(RECHERCHE)

RECHERCHES ET

DEVELOPPEMENTS

INTERNATIONAUX

FINANCES

ET ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTEUR GENERAL
DIRECTORAT DE LA PLANIFICATION
ET DE L'EVALUATION

DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL
RÉGION DE LEST

DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL
RÉGION DU CENTRE

DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL
RÉGION DE L OUEST

Coordonnateurs de la recherche

Analystes

Conseillers

Stations de recherches

Saint-Jean (T N )

Cohnel (T -N )
Charlottetown (i -P E )
Kenlville (N -E )

Nappan (N -Ë )
Fredencton (N B )

Benton Ridge (N B )

Sainte-Marie (N -B l
Lennoxville (Québec)
Sainle-Toy (Quebec)

La Pocatiere (Québec)

Normandin (Quebec)
Saint-Jean (Québec)

Frelighsburg (Québec)

L'Acadie (Quebec)

L'Assomption (Quebec)

Lavaltrie (Quebec)

Sainte-Clothilde (Quebec)

Instituts de recherches

Aliments

Biosystématique

Chimie et biologie

Technique et statistique

Terres

Zootechnie

London (Ont )

Service des programmes
de recherches

Stations de recherches

Delhi (Ont )
Harrow (Ont )

Woodslee (Ont )
Ottawa (Ont )

Kapuskasing (Ont i

Thunder Bay (Ont i
Vineland Station (Ont )

Smithlield (Ont i

décembre 1979

Stations de recherches

Brandon (Man )
Morden (Man )

Portage-la-Prair.e (Man )
Winnipeg (Man )
Meltort (Sask )
Regina (Sask )

Indian Head (Sask
Saskatoon (Sask )

Scott (Sask )
Switt Current (Sask l
Beaverlodge (Alb )

Fort Vermilion (Alb )

Prince George (C -B )
Lacombe (Alb !

Végreville (Alb I
Lethbndge (Alb )

Onetour (Manybernes) (Alb)

Slavely (Alb )

Vauxhaii (Alb )
Agassiz (C B )

Abbotslord IC B i
Kamloops (C -B )

Creston (C B )
Saanichton (Sidney i (C -B i
Summerland (C B i

Kelowna (C -B )
Vancouver IC B I

FOREWORD

The Research Branch of Agriculture
Canada conducts about one-half of the agri-
cultural research and development in Canada.
It also cooperates with universities and indus-
try by supporting research that augments the
Branch's goals and objectives. The budget for
1979 was $126 million, of which $5 million
was spent on contracted research. In 1979 the
Branch staffed 3673 person-years, of which
900 were professional positions.

Branch Headquarters are located at the
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. In 1978
the Branch was reorganized into three regions
with headquarters at Saskatoon, Sask.; Ot-
tawa, Ont.; and Quebec City, Que. This
Report is presented by region, with each
director general describing his organizational
structure and highlighting achievements for
the year. The research establishments then
give details of their work in separate chapters,
for which reprints are available.

The Branch conducts basic and applied
research on soils, plants, animals, pests in-
cluding diseases and weeds, engineering and
energy, and food. There is close cooperation
with other branches in the Department, with
other federal agencies, and with universities,
provincial departments of agriculture, the
agricultural industry, and farm organizations.

In Canada there is a unique system for
coordinating agricultural research and ser-
vices, called the Canadian Agricultural Ser-
vices Coordinating Committee (CASCC).

This organization reviews governmental and
institutional services affecting the general
welfare of Canadian agriculture. Its members
include provincial deputy ministers of agricul-
ture, deans of agricultural colleges and col-
leges of veterinary medicine, and representa-
tives from the private sector. The Chairman is
the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Canada.
The research arm of CASCC is the Canadian
Agricultural Research Council, which advises
the parent committee on the state and needs
of agricultural research and development.
Despite resource constraints, the Research
Branch has maintained a high quality of
output and has contributed significantly to the
departmental aims and the government's
policies in support of the Canadian agricul-
tural industry.

The Branch also strongly supports and
cooperates in research at the international
level. This support is partly provided through
the Canadian International Development
Agency and the International Development
Research Centre. The Branch also has direct
relations with the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) and
the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO). Through annual tripartite meetings
with leaders of agricultural research in the
USA and the UK, effective exchanges are
occurring and . cooperation is being
maintained.

E. J. LeRoux

AVANT-PROPOS

La Direction de la recherche d'Agriculture
Canada réalise environ la moitié des travaux
de recherche et de développement agricoles
effectués au Canada. Elle coopère également
avec les universités et l'industrie en appuyant
financièrement les recherches qui viennent
compléter ses buts et ses objectifs. En 1979,
son budget s'élevait à 126 millions de dollars
dont 5 millions pour la recherche contractuel-
le et son effectif était de 3,673 années-
personnes dont 900 chercheurs.

La Direction loge son administration cen-
trale à la Ferme expérimentale centrale
d'Ottawa. En 1978, elle était restructurée en
trois régions, avec des centres administratifs à
Saskatoon (Sask.), Ottawa (Ont.) et Québec
(Québec). Ce rapport est présenté par région.
Chaque directeur général décrit l'organisation
dont il est responsable et ses principales
réalisations durant l'année écoulée. Chaque
établissement de recherches présente ensuite
ses travaux dans des chapitres dont on peut
obtenir des tirés à part.

La Direction fait de la recherche fonda-
mentale et appliquée sur les sols, les plantes,
les animaux, les ravageurs, les pathogènes, les
mauvaises herbes, le génie rural et l'exploita-
tion de l'énergie, ainsi que l'alimentation. Elle
travaille en étroite collaboration avec d'autres
Directions du Ministère, d'autres organismes
fédéraux ainsi que les universités, les ministè-
res provinciaux de l'agriculture, l'industrie
agricole et les groupements d'agriculteurs.

Le Canada s'est doté d'un mécanisme
particulier de coordination de la recherche et
des services agricoles. Il s'agit du Comité

canadien de coordination des services agrico-
les (CCCSA) dont le rôle est de superviser les
services gouvernementaux et institutionnels
touchant l'état général de l'agriculture cana-
dienne. Il est composé des sous-ministres
provinciaux de l'agriculture, des doyens des
facultés d'agriculture et de médecine vétéri-
naire ainsi que des représentants du secteur
privé. Son président est le sous-ministre
fédéral de l'agriculture. La fonction «recher-
che» est confiée au Conseil de la recherche
agricole du Canada qui conseille le CCCSA
sur l'état et les besoins de la recherche et du
développement agricoles. Malgré le resserre-
ment de ses ressources, la Direction a réussi à
conserver un rendement de haut calibre et à
épauler le Ministère et le gouvernement dans
la réalisation des politiques axées sur la
prospérité de l'industrie agricole canadienne.

En outre, la Direction encourage la recher-
che au niveau international et y coopère
énergiquement, entre autres par l'entremise
de l'Agence canadienne de développement
international et le Centre de recherche pour le
développement international. Elle est égale-
ment en contact direct avec l'Organisation de
coopération et de développement économiques
(OCDE) et l'Organisation des Nations-Unies
pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (F.A.O.).
Les réunions annuelles tripartites tenues avec
les chefs de file de la recherche agricole aux
États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni sont l'occa-
sion d'établir des échanges fructueux et de
renouer des liens de coopération.

E.J. LeRoux

EASTERN REGION
RÉGION DE L'EST

Dr. J. J. Cartier

Dr. C. Aube

Mr. J. R. Frappier

EXECUTIVE OF THE EASTERN REGION
L'EXÉCUTIF DE LA RÉGION DE VEST

Director General
Directeur général

J. J. Cartier, B.A., B.Sc, PhD.

Program Specialist
Spécialiste en programmes

C. Aube, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Chief, Finance and Administration
Chef, Finances et administration

J. R. Frappier, B.A.

PREFACE

La région de l'Est, dont le bureau régional
est à Québec, dessert les provinces de Terre-
Neuve, de rîle-du-Prince-Édouard, de la
Nouvelle-Ecosse, du Nouveau-Brunswick et
de Québec. La région de l'Est comprend sept
stations, cinq fermes expérimentales et six
sous-stations. La ferme expérimentale Séna-
teur Hervé J. Michaud, située à Sainte- Marie
dans le comté de Kent (N.-B.), est la plus
récente. Elle porte le nom de feu l'Honorable
Michaud, l'un de ceux qui ont le plus travaillé
à la relance de l'agriculture dans ce coin de
l'Acadie. La région de l'Est dispose d'environ
600 employés, dont 160 chercheurs, pour
mener à bien ses projets de recherches. Elle
fait aussi appel à l'entreprise privée et aux
universités, auxquelles elle octroie des con-
trats de recherches et des subventions.

L'agriculture de la région repose sur les
cultures fourragères plus précisément la
fléole, la luzerne et le trèfle. En outre, l'on
valorise de plus en plus les céréales, surtout
l'avoine, le blé et l'orge par le développement
de meilleurs cultivars. Un premier succès a
été obtenu avec l'avoine Aima et les travaux
en cours sont prometteurs pour ce qui est de la
fléole et de la luzerne. Des progrès notables
ont été réalisés au niveau de l'inoculation de
la luzerne et de la survie de ces plantes à
l'hiver. La station de Fredericton travaille sur
la production et l'entreposage.

Le sud-ouest du Québec est pour sa part
bien pourvu en sols organiques. C'est d'ail-
leurs le principal centre de production légu-
mière de la province. Les chercheurs de Saint-
Jean espèrent réduire le taux d'affaissement
des sols fertiles. Ils s'intéressent aussi à la
mise en valeur des sols minéraux, aux résidus,
ainsi qu'au contrôle des insectes et des
mauvaises herbes. Des recherches sur les
légumes sont effectuées dans presque toutes
les stations de l'Est.

Les recherches fruitières portent presque
exclusivement sur la pomme, la fraise, la
framboise et le bleuet. Les perspectives d'ave-
nir sont assez intéressantes pour ces cultures
qui ont fait la renommée de certaines régions,
notamment la Vallée-d'Annapolis et le Lac-
Saint-Jean. Quelques projets touchent la poire
et la prune.

Le tabac, le pois sec, le soja et même le
rhododendron font l'objet de recherches dans
certaines stations.

Les problèmes que rencontrent les éleveurs
sont très complexes. Les conditions du marché
influent beaucoup plus sur les productions
animales que sur les découvertes scientifiques.
Malgré tout, les recherches zootechniques
sont appelées à se développer davantage dans
l'avenir. Aujourd'hui, elles veulent satisfaire
plus adéquatement aux exigences alimentaires
des animaux, mettre au point des rations
économiques et explorer les mystères de
l'hérédité. Le développement d'une lignée de
brebis capables d'agneler en tout temps de
l'année devrait être un stimulant pour l'éleva-
ge ovin. Une utilisation plus rationnelle du
veau laitier pourrait mettre à profit ce produit
de l'industrie laitière. L'augmentation du
nombre de porcelets sevrés annuellement par
la truie et l'amélioration de leur croissance va
permettre au secteur porcin de progresser
encore.

Isolée du continent, l'île de Terre-Neuve a
deux projets agricoles importants: contrôler le
nematode doré et mettre en valeur par les
cultures fourragères et légumières des milliers
d'hectares marécageux.

Différents changements ont eu lieu au point
de vue administratif durant l'année 1979.
Tout d'abord, M. G. M. Weaver, Ph.D., a été
nommé directeur de la station à Kentville
(N.-É.), M. C.S. Bernard, Ph.D., est devenu
directeur à la station de recherches à Frede-
ricton (N.-B.), M. Y. Martel, Ph.D., a été
nommé directeur de la station de recherches à
Lennoxville (Québec) et M. F.W. Calder a
été nommé officier en charge à la ferme
expérimentale à Nappan.

On peut obtenir de plus amples renseigne-
ments au sujet de nos programmes, en écri-
vant aux établissements de recherches intéres-
sés ou en s'adressant à l'Administration
centrale de la région de l'Est, Direction de la
recherche, Agriculture Canada, 3194, chemin
Sainte- Foy, Sainte- Foy (Québec), G IX 1R4.

J.J. Cartier

XVI

PREFACE

The Eastern Region, whose regional office
is in Quebec City, covers the provinces of
Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec. The
Region comprises seven stations, five experi-
mental farms, and six substations. The most
recent of its research establishments is the
Senator Hervé J. Michaud Experimental
Farm at Sainte-Marie in Kent County, New
Brunswick. It is named in honor of Senator
Michaud, a man who was dedicated to the
advancement of agriculture in this corner of
Acadia. The Eastern Region employs 600
people, 160 of them professionals, to carry out
its research projects. It also relies on private
industry and the universities, to which it
awards research contracts and grants.

The Region's agricultural activity is based
on forage crops, in particular timothy, alfalfa,
and clover. Increasing stimulus is also being
given to production of cereals, notably oats,
wheat, and barley, through the development
of better cultivars. Success has already been
achieved with Alma oats, and the work being
done with timothy and alfalfa looks promis-
ing. Significant progress has been made in
alfalfa inoculation and the winter survival of
these plants. The Research Station at Freder-
icton is working on production and storage.

Southwestern Quebec is richly endowed
with organic soils and is the province's chief
vegetable-growing area. Researchers at Saint-
Jean are hoping to reduce the rate of subsid-
ence of the fertile soils. They are also working
on making mineral soils productive, and are
conducting research on residues and on insect
and weed control. Research on vegetables is
being done at almost all the eastern stations.

Research on fruit crops is centered on
apples, strawberries, raspberries, and blueber-
ries. These crops show good prospects and
have made a name for certain regions, notably
the Annapolis Valley and Lake Saint-Jean.
Some research is also being done on the pear
and the plum.

Tobacco, dry peas, soybeans, and even
rhododendrons are also studied at some
stations.

The problems faced by livestock farmers
are many and varied. Market conditions have
a much greater influence on animal produc-
tion than do scientific discoveries. Neverthe-
less, research in animal science will continue
to produce benefits in future. Present research
is aimed at better satisfying livestock feed
requirements, developing economical rations,
and exploring the intricacies of heredity. The
development of a line of ewes capable of
lambing at any time of year should provide a
stimulus to sheep breeders. A more rational
use of the dairy calf could increase profits for
the dairy industry. Increasing the number of
pigs weaned by each sow in a year and
improving their growth is hoped to further
stimulate the swine sector.

Isolated from the mainland, Newfoundland
has two major agricultural projects: control-
ling the golden nematode, and reclaiming
thousands of hectares of swampland through
forage and vegetable cropping.

There were a number of administrative
changes in 1979. Dr. G. M. Weaver was
named Director of the Research Station at
Kentville in Nova Scotia; Dr. C. S. Bernard
became Director of the Research Station at
Fredericton in New Brunswick; Dr. Y. Martel
was appointed Director of the Research
Station at Lennoxville in Quebec; and Mr. F.
W. Calder was named Officer in Charge of
the Nappan Experimental Farm in Nova
Scotia.

Further information about our programs
may be obtained by writing to the research
establishments concerned or by addressing
inquiries to Eastern Region Headquarters,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 3194
Sainte- Foy Avenue, Sainte- Foy, Que. G1X
1R4.

J. J. Cartier

XVII

Research Station
St. John's West, Newfoundland

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

H. W. R. Chancey, B.S.A., M.S.A. Director

Entomology

R. F. Morris, B.S.A., M. Se. Head of Section; Vegetable insects

Horticulture

B. G. Penney, B.Sc, M. Se. Vegetable crops

Plant Breeding and Pathology

K. G. Proudfoot, B.Agr., M.Agr. Head of Section; Potato breeding

M. C. Hampson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Plant diseases

Agronomy

A. F. Rayment, B.Sc, M.Sc. Soil fertility and drainage

RESEARCH STATION. ST. JOHN'S WEST, NFLD.

INTRODUCTION

The Research Station at St. John's West is responsible for regional research on the
reclamation and agricultural use of peat soils, potato breeding for resistance to wart disease,
and golden nematode control. The research program also includes research on insect control,
plant diseases and nutrition, suitable vegetable varieties, and the design and adaptation of
mechanical equipment for cultivating, fertilizing, seeding, and harvesting crops grown on peat
soils.

Previous reports and reprints of publications can be obtained from: Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 7098, St. John's West, Nfld. AIE 3Y3.

H. W. R. Chancey
Director

ENTOMOLOGY

Cabbage maggot

In 2nd yr field tests at St. John's and
Wooddale to determine if cabbage root mag-
gots were developing resistance to organo-
phosphate insecticides, results showed that
field populations of the maggot were resistant
to Dasanit (fensulfothion) at Wooddale. This
resistance was less evident at St. John's where
partial maggot control was obtained. The
carbamate insecticide Furadan (carbofuran)
provided satisfactory control of the maggot at
both localities.

Experiments to evaluate pyrethroid insecti-
cide control of cabbage root maggot on late
cabbage at St. John's were inconclusive
because of a light infestation of the maggot.
Twelve treatments replicated four times in a
random block design were set out on 21 June,
but mortality in the control plots was only 5%
and there was no significant difference in
marketable yields between treated and un-
treated plots.

Lepidopterous caterpillars

Field trials with early cabbage and dwarf
Essex rape to determine effectiveness of
pyrethroid insecticides (Ambush, Ripcord,
Belmark, Pounce, Thuricide, Thiodan, and
PP383) in controlling leaf-eating caterpillars
showed that all significantly reduced popula-
tions of the imported cabbageworm, Pieris
rapae (L.). Infestations of purplebacked
cabbageworms, Evergestis pallidata (Hufn.),
and diamondback moth larvae, Plutella
xylostella (L.), were very light in both early
cabbage and rape plots so that the effec-
tiveness of the treatments could not be
determined with certainty. All treatments

favored an increase in aphid populations by
controlling predatory syrphid larvae.

Leaf tier

Eighteen insecticide treatments, including
Ambush, Belmark, Ripcord, PP383, Pounce
320, and Guthion. were tested for control of
blueberry leaf tier, Argyroioza curvalana
(Kft.), at Brigus Junction. All. pyrethroid
insecticides reduced larval populations but the
medium and high rates were less effective in
some cases than was the low rate. A decline of
larval populations in control plots similar to
that in treated plots made evaluation of the
treatments difficult. The experimental design,
with insufficient control plots, may partly
account for larval decline in the four control
plots, although infestation by the leaf tier was
lighter this year than in 1978.

Sheep blow fly

Ectiban (permethrin) at 50 g/L was further
tested at St. John's for control of blow fly,
Phaenicia sericata (Mg.), in sheep. The
insecticide was used in single dip treatments
at 0.05% and 0.1% solutions and all test
animals were submerged for 60 s. Complete
control of sheep blow fly was obtained
through the entire test period with Ectiban in
a 0.1% dip solution.

PLANT BREEDING AND
PATHOLOGY

Potato breeding for resistance to wart and
golden nematode

The wart resistant selection N433-21, a late
maturing, blue-skinned, heavy-yielding culti-
var, was named Blue Mac and licensed for

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

commercial production in early 1979. Blue
Mac tubers have a high dry matter content,
consistently outyield Arran Victory, and have
been favorably received by farmers.

Replicated trials of four blue-skinned,
eleven white-skinned, and seven red-skinned
selections with commercial potential were
made at St. John's, using Arran Victory,
Kennebec, and Chieftain as controls. None of
the blue-skinned selections were equal in
specific gravity to Arran Victory, but three
had double the yield. All selections remained
wart free when tested at Avondale, but none
were nematode resistant. Red-skinned selec-
tions were not as attractive in appearance as
Chieftain but all had higher specific gravity.
Kennebec significantly outyielded all selec-
tions in marketable yields.

Infectivity and germination in potato wart
disease

Sprout length. In an analysis of potato
sprout length versus wart pathogenesis, infec-
tion resulted when sprouts were inoculated at
the shoot rather than the base and short
shoots escaped infection. When sprout lengths
were compared through several monthly
irrigation cycles in bench soil, 2 mm sprouts
were least infected, 8 mm sprouts were most
infected, and 4 mm sprouts were somewhat
less infected.

Sprout exudate. Samples of potato sprout
exudate were freeze-dried and analyzed in an
amino acid analyzer. Substances identified,
listed in descending order of quantity, were:
proline, asparagine, y-aminobutyric acid,
aspartic acid, glutamine, alanine, valine,
glutamic acid, serine, ammonia, leucine,
phenylalanine, arginine, L-isoleucine, glycine,
lysine, threonine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methi-
onine, histidine, ornithine, ethanolamine, lh-
cystine, traces of a:-aminoadipic acid and
citrulline, plus four unknowns. Proline is a
most unusual component as it generally
appears ranked 7 to 1 5 in tuber flesh analysis.

Sporangial morphology. Wart sporangia
were killed, fixed, and examined with scan-
ning and transmission electron microscopy.
The topography of sporangia revealed a wall
of irregular plates fused to form conspicuous
ridges, conspicuous pores, and pitted areas.
The pores did not traverse the whole width of
the wall. In section, the endospore wall
evaginated at places into the sporangial
lumen, forming knob-like processes. Chitinase

treatment after 18 h failed to alter wall
components and structure.

Breeding clubroot-resistant rutabagas

The cultivar Fortune, bred from a cross of
York and Wilhelmsburger, was licensed in
1979. It was included in trials by the Royal
Horticultural Society, Wisley, England, and
received an Award of Merit.

Crosses of the New Zealand summer turnip
York and the Norwegian variety Gry pro-
duced roots segregating for flesh and skin
color. In addition to green and purple-skinned
roots, bronze and pink-skinned roots were also
obtained. Clubroot-resistant selections were
made from Gry x RST and the 1977 and
1978 polycrosses, and two turnip varieties,
Roots and Golden Ball, remained clubroot
free, as did the German rutabaga Niko.

PLANT SCIENCE

Field crops

Cabbage. Results with the cultivar Houston
Evergreen grown on mineral soil showed that
early seeding, together with preplant N at 224
kg/ha and side-dressed N at 112 kg/ha, was
essential for high yields. Increasing the N
level by side-dressing increased yields by
20.5%, 35.0%, and 11%, respectively, for the
24 May, 30 May, and 1 3 June seedings. Early
planting was not necessary to obtain high
yields with Houston Evergreen transplants
under the same N treatments.

Carrots. Experiments on virgin peat with
the cultivar Spartan Fancy were conducted to
evaluate Cu and Mo requirements of carrots
at the Colinet bog. Three rates of Cu, 3, 9,
and 15 kg/ha, and three rates of Mo, 0.2, 1.2,
and 2.2 kg/ha, were applied in all combina-
tions. Throughout the growing season, no
visual deficiency symptoms were observed and
there were no differences in carrot shape or
color between treatments.

Blueberry

Select clones. The 1978 plantings of root
cuttings of the lowbush cultivars Chignecto
and Augusta at Avondale overwintered with
losses of 24.0% and 12.3%, respectively. The
cumulative losses since planting amount to
Augusta, 23.6%, and Chignecto, 47.2%.

An experiment to evaluate the effect of
dolomitic limestone, MgS04, and CaS04 on

RESEARCH STATION, ST. JOHN'S WEST, NFLD.

the establishment and growth of select low-
bush blueberry clones on peat soil was initi-
ated in June 1979 at the Colinet bog. Exami-
nation of clones in late September showed no
differences between treatments, and all plants
were found to be in excellent condition.

SOIL SCIENCE

Peat soils

Machinery. Continuing trials on peat soils
with the Engineering and Statistical Research
Institute's articulated tractor showed that
problems with steering were due to unsuitable
track design. Further trials will be conducted
in 1980 with an improved type rubber-cleat
track assembly.

Field trials with the Memorial University
designed ditcher revealed inadequacies involv-
ing the lifting and placement of the ditching
impeller and with some components of the
hydraulic system. These problems will be
rectified for final field testing in 1980.

The rotoridger - precision seeder, also
designed by Memorial University engineers,
completed field trials and performed reason-
ably well. Minor problems with the precision
seeder will be remedied for final field trials in
1980.

A second contracting-out program was
awarded to Memorial University in July,
involving design and construction of a root
crop harvester and transporter and a peat bog
cultivator. Both machines are in the design
stage and are scheduled for completion in
1980.

Revegetation. Experiments on revegetation
of mine tailings at Buchans and Baie Verte
were conducted over the period 1974-1975.
At Buchans, satisfactory stands of grasses and

birdsfoot trefoil were readily established on
the relatively basic tailings (pH 6.4) and
slimes (pH 5.6), with fertilizers only. In Baie
Verte, growth of the same species was inade-
quate on high acid (pH 2.8) tailings, although
limestone was applied at up to 36 t/ha.

During 1979 surface addition of 5 cm of
peat, and limestone at 27 t/ha rotary culti-
vated in, followed by 10-20-20 fertilizer at
670 kg/ha, provided satisfactory stands of
grasses and trefoil.

Drainage. The influence of drainage sys-
tems on water flow in peat soil at Colinet was
determined by tipping-bucket metering de-
vices. Plots provided with supplemental slit
drains produced a faster flow during rainy
periods but a reduced flow during dry spells.
Comparisons of main drains of perforated
corrugated pipe either embedded in sawdust
or wrapped in fiber glass, and the standard
Norwegian covered drain, showed little dif-
ference in ability to remove water, but the
latter was more erratic due to its proneness to
alternative muddying up and clearing.

In order to relate physical characteristics of
peat to drainage requirements, comparisons
were made between the Colinet site and a new
commercial site near Botwood. Hydraulic
conductivities were determined on vertical
and horizontal core samples taken at a depth
of 1 m at these sites. Hydraulic conductivities
in a domed section of the Botwood site
averaged 20 times those at the Colinet site,
whereas values from peripheral low bogs at
Botwood were about equivalent to Colinet.
However, although the horizontal components
were normally higher than the lateral ones at
Colinet, the opposite was true at Botwood.
These results would indicate that a much less
intensive drainage system would be required
on the domed Botwood site.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Morris, R. F. 1979. A review of the life history,
population levels, and spread of the antler
moth, Cerapteryx graminis (L.), (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae), in Newfoundland. Can. Entomol.
111:933-938.

Rayment, A. F.; Heringa, P. K.; Traverse, R. J.
1979. The interactions of drainage, limestone
rates and phosphorus sources and rates in their
cfTects on the yields of carrot and rutabaga in
greenhouse lysimeter cultures and field studies

on a Newfoundland peat soil. 1975. Proc. Int.
Symp. Peat Agric. Hortic, Israel, pp. 85-97.

Miscellaneous

Hampson, M. C. 1979. Infection of additional hosts
of Synchytrium endobioticum, the causal
agent of potato wart disease. 2. Tomato,
tobacco and species of Capsieastrum, Datura,
Physalis and Schizanthus. Can. Plant Dis.
Surv. 59:3-6.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Hampson, M. C. 1979. Research on potato wart
disease in the U.S.S.R. --a literature review
(1955 1977). Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:7-14.

Hampson, M. C. 1979. Potato wart disease in
Newfoundland. Can. Agric. 24:20-23.

Hampson, M. C. 1979. Infection of tomato and
other solanaceous species by races of
Synchytrium endobioticum, the causal agent
of Potato Wart Disease. Can. Hortic. Counc.
Rep. 1978:2-3.

Morris, R. F.; Morry, H. G. 1979. Vegetable, field
crop and other injurious insect pests predomi-
nating in Newfoundland. Can. Insect Pest Rev.
56:7, 11, 19,21-22,35-38,43,47-49.

Morris, R. F. 1979. Field tests with Dasanit to
determine cabbage root maggot resistance to
organophosphate insecticides. Can. Hortic.
Counc. Rep. 1978:3.

Morris, R. F. 1979. Control of leaf tier, Argyrotoza
curvalana (Kft.), on blueberries. Can. Hortic.
Counc. Rep. 1978:3.

Morris, R. F. 1979. Control of lepidopterous
caterpillars on early cabbage and rape with
synthetic pyrethroids. Can. Hortic. Counc.
Rep. 1978:3-4.

Morris, R. F. 1979. Root maggot control on late
cabbage with pyrethroid insecticides. Can.
Hortic. Counc. Rep. 1978:4.

Penney, B. G. 1979. Greenhouse tomato variety
trials. Can. Hortic. Counc. Rep. 1978:1.

Penney, B. G. 1979. Effect of field seeding, plant
spacing and nitrogen side-dressing on market-
able yield of late cabbage. Can. Hortic. Counc.
Rep. 1978:1.

Penney, B. G. 1979. Effect of seeding date on weed
competition in rutabaga. Can. Hortic. Counc.
Rep. 1978:1-2.

Penney, B. G. 1979. Effect of time of field planting
and nitrogen side-dressing on marketable yield
of transplanted late cabbage. Can. Hortic.
Counc. Rep. 1978:2.

Proudfoot, K. G. 1979. Breeding potatoes for
resistance to wart and golden nematode. Can.
Hortic. Counc. Rep. 1978:4-5.

Proudfoot, K. G. 1979. Breeding clubroot resistant
rutabaga. Can. Hortic. Counc. Rep. 1978:5.

Tai, G. C. C; Johnston, G. R.; Russell, W. A.;
Proudfoot, K. G.; DeJong, H. 1979. Assessing
the yield potential of tetraploid-diploid (4X-
IX) potato hybrids. Can. Hortic. Counc. Rep.
1978:32.

RESEARCH STATION, ST. JOHNS WEST, NFLD.

Research Station
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

L. B. MacLeod, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

C. B. Willis, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

D. A. Hutchinson

B. Stanfield,1 B.S.A., M.S.A., M.L.S.
S. R. Knight, B.Sc.

Director

Assistant Director
Administrative Officer
Librarian
Information Officer

Cereal

J. D. E. Sterling, B.S.A., M.Sc.
H. W. Johnston, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. A. MacLeod, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. G. Nass, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Breeding (barley)
Diseases (cereal)
Nutrition (forage and cereal)
Breeding (wheat), physiology
(cereal)

Forage

L. S. Thompson, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

T. M. Choo, B.Sc, Ph.D.

U. C. Gupta, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

J. Kimpinski, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. R. Narasimhalu, B.Sc, B.V.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

M. Suzuki, B.Sc, Ph.D.

R. P. White, B.S. (Ed.), M.S., Ph.D.

C. B. Willis, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

Head of Section; Insects (forage

and cereal)
Breeding (red clover)
Micronutrients (soil and plant)
Nematology

Quality and utilization (forage)
Biochemistry and physiology

(forage)
Nutrition (corn and potato), soil

chemistry
Diseases (forage)

Crop-Livestock Systems

J. H. Lovering,2 B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.

A. J. Campbell, B.Eng.

Head of Section; Economics

(production)
Agricultural engineering

RESEARCH STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

H. T. Kunelius, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. A. McIsaacy B.Sc.

D. G. Russell,-' B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. M. Sadler, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

K. A. Winter, B.Sc (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Physiology and management

(forage)
Systems engineering
Economies (systems)
Soil management
Nutrition (cattle)

Horticulture and Tobacco

J. A. Cutcliffe, B.Sc (Agr.), M.Sc

J. A. Ivany, B.Sc (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

J. G. McDonald, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. W. Platt, B.Sc, Ph.D.

J. B. Sanderson, B.Sc. (Agr.)

D. C. Read, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Nutrition and

management (vegetable)
Weed control (vegetable, potato,

and cereal)
Virus diseases (potato)
Diseases (potato)

Management and nutrition (potato)
Pesticide bioactivity, insects

(vegetable)

Departure

D. C. Munro, B.S.A., M.Sc.
Died 15 March 1979

Nutrition (potato and vegetable)

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.
Seconded from Policy. Planning, and Economics Branch.
On work transfer under CI DA from August 1978.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Research Station at Charlottetown has Atlantic region responsibility for research on
the production and utilization of livestock feed crops, tobacco, and certain vegetables grown for
processing. Research is also conducted on potatoes, small fruits, and cattle nutrition and
breeding.

We regret to record the death in March 1979 of Douglas C. Munro. Doug was widely
recognized in the region for his research on the nutrition and management of potatoes and
vegetable crops.

This report includes brief summaries of some of the research completed in 1979. More
detailed information may be obtained from the publications listed or by contacting the
Research Station. Copies of this report or of the publications listed may be obtained from:
Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 1210, Charlottetown,
P.E.I. CIA 7M8.

L. B. MacLeod
Director

CEREAL AND PROTEIN CROPS

Breeding and testing

Barley. The Hordeum distichon L. line
AB53-4 (IB6-3/Volla/2/Mazurka) has per-
formed well in two consecutive test years in
the Maritime provinces. Yield and kernel
quality were superior to the barley cultivars
Atlanta and Summit, and the line is earlier
maturing.

Treating the strong-strawed cultivar Bruce
with the growth regulator Terpal (BASF)
resulted in greatly increased yield and lodging
resistance. In general, Hordeum vulgare L.
cultivars responded favorably to Terpal treat-
ment while Hordeum distichon L. types were
affected adversely.

Oats. The new cultivar Lamar was superior
to Laurent in resistance to lodging and in
kernel quality; however, it yielded slightly less
and was considerably later maturing. The
cultivar Sentinel had the best combination of
yield, kernel quality, lodging resistance, and
tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus.

Spring wheat. Two spring feed wheat
cultivars, Dundas (2-3 days earlier maturity)
and Vernon (resistant to powdery mildew),
were licensed and released for production in
the Maritime provinces. The earlier maturity
of Dundas (Inia/Opal) reduced grain losses
by allowing for earlier harvest. The resistance
to powdery mildew of Vernon (Opal*4/
Pompe) resulted in increases in grain yield of
up to \0% when this disease was a problem.
Several promising new lines (AW3, AW4,

and AW7) showed yield improvement over
Vernon. These lines have resistance to pow-
dery mildew and some tolerance to Fusarium.

Winter wheat. The line T 1365-216 devel-
oped at the Ottawa Research Station per-
formed well for 3 yr in the Maritime testing
program. In 1979, it ranked first at all five
locations of the Maritime winter wheat test. T
1365-216 is very similar to Lennox in all
agronomic characteristics, but has greater
consistency in performance from year to year.
The Ottawa Research Station plans to apply
for a license for this cultivar in 1980.

Winter rye. The European cultivar Animo
was licensed for Maritime production. This
variety has outyielded all cultivars in Mari-
time trials in the last 5 yr. Animo is similar to
Kustro agronomically but has been slightly
higher yielding from year to year. Six winter
rye composites are being maintained for
selection and generation advance. Of these,
the composite CHR 75-2 has performed well
in 2 yr of Maritime trials.

Soybeans. The recently licensed soybean
cultivar Maple Presto was found to mature
adequately. Although there were problems in
obtaining good stands and harvest losses were
greater than expected, results were generally
promising.

Doubled haploids. A theoretical study
showed that for self-pollinating crops, addi-
tive, additive x additive, and additive x
additive x additive genetic variances can be
estimated fom a diallel experiment in which

RESEARCH STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

each cross is represented by a number of
doubled haploid lines.

Some oat lines more tolerant of barley
yellow dwarf virus. Oat lines and cultivars
PI 186606, RL608, Dorval, Sentinel, and
Cabot were more tolerant of barley yellow
dwarf virus (BYDV) than Laurent, Oxford,
Lamar, Garry, Manic, Fundy, or Scott under
light infection conditions in the field. Under
severe conditions in the greenhouse, Sentinel
and Fundy were more tolerant than Manic,
while Alma was the most susceptible.

Plant physiology

Second year results have shown a relation-
ship between percent crown dry matter con-
tent and hardiness based on tests of entries in
five winter wheat tests and one winter rye test.
These results imply that it may be possible to
use percent crown dry matter to screen for
hardiness in winter wheat and winter rye
germplasm.

A comparison of a number of tests to
characterize cultivars of barley and wheat for
moisture stress tolerance indicated that visual
wilt ratings of plants, germination of seeds in
mannitol solution, and measurement of water
diffusion resistance were unsatisfactory. Plant
survival following several cycles of moisture
stress, root weight, water loss from leaves in
24 h, and differences in root and leaf weight
in two soils of varying moisture-holding
ability were satisfactory tests. The two semid-
warf cultivars Pitic and Fielder, QB 59-28
uniculm barley, and the two-rowed barley
cultivars Volla and Nordal demonstrated
superior moisture stress tolerance. No one
single test appears to be sufficiently reliable,
so that the use of at least two tests is
recommended in screening material for mois-
ture stress tolerance.

Diseases

Head blights caused by Fusarium gramin-
earum Schwabe have been identified as the
cause of significant yield and quality losses in
wheat.

Seed treatments, especially with Baytan
(Chemagro Ltd.), effectively control powdery
mildew, Erysiphe graminis DC. ex Mérat f.
sp. tritici Marchai, and increase grain yields
substantially.

Intensive cereal production

Results from intensive cereal production
studies indicate that winter wheat yields can
be increased using a combination of supple-
mentary N applications, growth regulators for
lodging control, and fungicides for disease
control. With spring wheat, lodging was
generally not a problem and disease control
showed the most promise for increasing
yields. Leaf disease control in intensive pro-
duction studies has resulted in yield increases
up to 1000 kg/ha.

Tillage practices

In a 2 yr tillage study in which grain
followed grain, potatoes, or sod, minimum
tillage practices which permitted earlier
seeding resulted in yields of barley equal to or
greater than practices that included addi-
tional secondary tillage and, therefore, de-
layed seeding. There were no yield differences
among moldboard plowing, chisel plowing, or
heavy discing as primary tillage operations in
grain stubble or potato land. In sod, mold-
board plowing was superior to heavy discing.
Tillage, in addition to that required to pro-
duce a level seedbed, resulted in no yield
increase.

FORAGE CROPS

Management and nutrition

Winter survival. Statistical analysis, con-
sisting of a combination of a ridge regression
analysis and a stepwise multiple regression
analysis of 5 yr data (1973-1977) from a
survey in the Maritime provinces, identified
major factors in winter survival of forage
legumes. The analysis identified several criti-
cal factors which influenced winter survival of
forage legumes, but a considerable portion of
the variance remained unexplained. Snow
cover was identified as the most critical
factor. Among management practices, grow-
ing legumes with grasses, cutting frequency,
and fall cutting date were significant factors.
Drainage, soil texture, and frost heave were
important soil-related factors. The analysis
indicated that a number of other factors
including direction and degree of slope,
preceding crops, liming, and fertilization have
no direct influence on winter survival.

A field study at Charlottetown showed that
average survival percentages of Medicago
falcata L., M. media Pers., and M. sativa L.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

cultivars were 84, 55, and 31%, respectively.
The hardiest alfalfa, M.falcata, however, did
not tolerate a two-cutting system under the
humid and warm summers in Prince Edward
Island. Several promising cultivars of M.
media survived better and produced higher
dry matter yields than the recommended
cultivars of M. saliva.

Quality evaluation. A gas-liquid chroma-
tography (GLC) method for simultaneous
determination of lactic acid and volatile fatty
acids in silage was developed. The method
eliminated the requirement to derivatize free
acids prior to GLC. This was made possible
by the use of a special column-packing
material, a solid terephthalic acid support
coated with poly-(ethylene glycol phthalic
acid ester), on the surface of which the
derivatization occurred automatically during
GLC. With the new method, a complex
mixture of fatty acids and lactic acid in silage
can be analyzed simultaneously and accu-
rately in 10 min, and the method is applicable
to routine evaluation of silage quality.

Increasing the Se content of forage crops.
The Se content of forages was increased by
spraying a solution of sodium selenite on an
established sward just as spring growth was
starting. Applying Se at 0, 0.56, and 1.12 kg/
ha gave 0.02, 0.32, and 0.54 ppm Se, respec-
tively, in the first-cut forage and 0.03, 0.55,
and 1 .09 ppm Se, respectively, in the second-
cut forage following application. The foliar
spray method of application requires no
tillage operations and permits established
swards to be treated.

Boron determination in soils. A simplified
method was developed for determining avail-
able B in soils using azomethine-H as the
color-developing reagent. The interfering
factors such as percent organic matter in soil,
amount of charcoal added, and the stability of
the color reagent were studied and suitable
modifications made. The method is suitable
for use by soil-testing laboratories.

Boron deficiency symptoms in clovers.
Boron-deficient clover plants are weak and
leaf margins often look burnt. The leaves of
red clover turn red, become cupped, and
shrivel in the case of severe B deficiency.
Boron deficiency in Persian clover, Trifolium
resupinatum L., occurs as a red coloration on
the margins and tips of younger leaves. This
coloration appears in other leaves with pro-
gression in time.

Corn management. Evaluation of tillage
practices on corn production demonstrated a
slight yield advantage for spring or fall
plowing over spring discing, and continued
declining yield with a no-till treatment.

Corn plants (DK-22) prevented from being
pollinated gave an insignificantly lower silage
yield, fewer broken stalks, and a significantly
lower dry matter content (about 3%) than
pollinated plants in a 2 yr study.

In a study of planting dates and plant
populations, a plant population of 114 000
plants per hectare yielded 10% more silage
than a population of 57 000 plants per
hectare. High population densities did not
reduce maturity, but increased the stalk
breakage by 7%. Plantings from 10 May to 7
June gave equivalent yields, but a large
reduction occurred with a 15 June planting;
and dry matter levels at harvest decreased
with planting delayed from 10 May to 15
June. The days between planting and emer-
gence, as well as the days between emergence
and silking, decreased with delayed planting.

In a comparison of European and Canadian
hybrids grown at 50 000, 75 000, and
100 000 plants per hectare, the average silage
dry matter yield was increased by 19% at the
two higher populations, but percent dry
matter in the silage dropped slightly. Increas-
ing plant population to 75 000 and 100 000
plants per hectare decreased grain yields by
16 and 30%, respectively, and increased grain
moisture content from 38.6 to 40.8 and
43.0%, respectively. There were obvious dif-
ferences among hybrids in yield, maturity,
and dry down rates both within and among
populations.

Insects and nematodes

European corn borer affecting yields of
crib corn. Good control of the European corn
borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.), was obtained
with several insecticides applied to Warwick
TX17 corn. Yields of crib corn were signifi-
cantly higher in treated plots than in the
untreated check plots. Earlier studies showed
that yields of corn grown for silage were not
affected significantly by the borer. Percent
protein was not affected by borer feeding. In a
seeding date trial, more borer tunneling was
observed, the earlier the corn was seeded; as
well, stalk breakage was greater in earlier-
seeded plots.

Alfalfa blotch leaf miner not reducing
yields of alfalfa. Three years of field tests

RESEARCH STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

showed that the alfalfa blotch leafminer can
be controlled successfully by insecticidal
sprays, but the dry weight yields of alfalfa
were not improved significantly by the control
measures as compared with yields from
untreated checks. The effect of leafminers on
N, P, and K concentrations of alfalfa plants
was not significant, but leafminers reduced
concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrates
in the leaves and stems. This suggests that the
leafminer is affecting quality rather than
quantity of alfalfa.

Reproduction of root lesion nematode
species on forage legumes and grasses and
yield effects. Studies with the root lesion
nematode species Pratylenchus penetrans
(Cobb) Filipjev & Stekh. and P. crenatus
Loof have shown that the two species differ
markedly in their reproduction on alfalfa,
birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, bromegrass,
orchardgrass, and timothy, forage legumes
and grasses commonly grown in Eastern
Canada. P. penetrans reproduced well on
alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, and
timothy. Under the same conditions and on
the same hosts, P. crenatus reproduced well
only on timothy. P. crenatus did not maintain
original inoculum numbers on alfalfa,
birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, or bromegrass.
Forage yield from the legumes was reduced
by P. penetrans, particularly for red clover
and even more so for birdsfoot trefoil. P.
penetrans infestation had no significant effect
on the yield of grasses, nor did P. crenatus
infestation affect yield of legumes or grasses.

Influence of crops on numbers of root
lesion and stunt nematodes. The numbers of
root lesion nematodes, P. penetrans, increased
25- and 50-fold in roots and soil, respectively,
after 3 yr consecutively of corn. A red clover-
timothy mixture, timothy, and wheat also
supported substantial increases in the num-
bers of root lesion nematodes during the same
period. However, nematode numbers declined
in potato roots. In general, numbers of the
stunt nematode, Tylenchorhynchus dubius
(Butschli) Filipjev, increased significantly in
the soil of all crops except potatoes, but to a
lesser extent than did P. penetrans. There was
no indication of competition for food between
the two nematode species.

CATTLE

Rations for early-weaned calves

Urea, as a source of supplemental N, and
an ascomycetes yeast product were compared
to a soybean meal starter ration for early-
weaned calves. Calves on the urea-supple-
mented starter ration performed as well as
those on the soybean meal control ration. Use
of the yeast product did not improve growth
rate or feed efficiency. The ability of the
young calf to utilize urea in the starter ration
indicates rapid development of rumen func-
tion in early-weaned calves. This supports a
previous study in which dry matter digestibil-
ity just after weaning was similar for calves
weaned at 3, 5, and 7 wk of age.

Choice among feeder cattle alternatives

Costs and returns estimates for 10 feeder
programs were prepared. The programs dif-
fered in beginning weight, length of keep, rate
of gain, pasture usage, and season of pur-
chase. Costs were estimated for each cattle
class for rations having a maximum usage of
each of low-quality hay, high-quality hay,
grass silage, corn silage, and cull potatoes.
Under the specific conditions used in the
analyses, the more profitable feeding pro-
grams were those with rapid gains and low
beginning weights. Cull potatoes and corn
silage provided lower-cost rations than did the
other feeds.

HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Potato management

Presprouting of seed-size tubers for 3-4 wk
under light at 60-65°C resulted in an overall
increase in stems per seed piece for Kennebec,
Red Pontiac, and Sebago potatoes. However,
there was a variety-by-planting date interac-
tion. Sebago seed pieces had more stems with
early planting (10 May), while Kennebec had
more stems with later planting (23 May).
Seed planted directly from regular storage
was slower to emerge, especially for Sebago.
Presprouting produced significantly more
seed-size tubers (30-60 mm) as well as a
greater total yield for all varieties. When
presprouted, the three varieties produced
equal amounts of small whole seed (10.7-1 1.5
t/ha) but Sebago produced only half as much
yield of larger tubers when presprouted and
only one-third as much yield as the other two

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

varieties when taken from regular storage.
Early planting produced a significantly
greater total yield but little difference in the
yield of small whole seed.

A 20 cm in-row spacing produced more
seed-size tubers (30-60 mm) and greater total
yield than did a 28 cm spacing for six potato
varieties (Kennebec, Sebago, Netted Gem,
Red Pontiac, Katahdin, and Superior). Delay-
ing top killing from 7 August to 21 August
increased the total mean yield from 18.2 to
25.1 t/ha, but the mean yield for small whole
seed increased only from 12.7 to 14.0 t/ha.
The varieties differed both in yield and
percent as small whole seed. Earlier studies
showed that top killing in September in-
creased the yield of small tubers at the closer
spacing, but total yields were equivalent.

Both Kennebec and Sebago potatoes
planted at 15, 20, and 28 cm in-row spacings
were sampled every 7 days from 51 to 114
days after planting and sized into five ranges:
0-20, 21-40, 41-50, 61-80, and 80 mm cross-
section. The data indicated the following
trends: {a) the total yields and yields of tubers
in the 21-60 mm ranges were greatest for the
closest spacings; {b) the yield and numbers of
tubers in the 21-40 mm size range increased
rapidly from about day 50 to day 65 and then
remained essentially similar; (<?) the yield and
numbers of tubers in the 41-60 mm range
increased from about day 65 in Kennebec and
from day 79-86 in Sebago right up to harvest
on day 114; (d) yields for the 21-60 mm
tubers at 15 cm spacing were approximately
16 and 17 t/ha at day 114 for Kennebec and
Sebago, respectively; (e) the yields of tubers
greater than 61 mm reached 17 t/ha for
Sebago and 27 t/ha for Kennebec at 1 14 days
with the close spacing; (/) maximum yields of
tubers 21-60 mm appeared as early as about
80 days, with close spacing, but delayed
harvest allowed additional production of
tubers larger than 60 mm with only minimal
decreases in the yield or number of tubers in
the 21-60 mm range.

Response of potato cultivars to metribuzin

Metribuzin applied preemergence and early
postemergence (tops 12-15 cm) had no ad-
verse effect on marketable and total yields of
Irish Cobbler, Netted Gem, Kennebec, and
Sebago potato cultivars. Delaying metribuzin
application until late postemergence (tops 25-
30 cm) resulted in significantly reduced

marketable yields of Irish Cobbler and Se-
bago, but not Netted Gem and Kennebec
when compared with preemergence and early
postemergence treatments. Total yields with
late postemergence treatment were signifi-
cantly less than those with the preemergence
treatment for all four cultivars and signifi-
cantly less than early postemergence treat-
ment for Irish Cobbler and Sebago.

Potato seedling evaluation

In studies evaluating horticultural charac-
teristics of potato seedlings, a number of
seedlings were recognized to have potential as
early lines and as potential maincrop lines,
and a number of yellow-fleshed seedlings were
recommended for reexamination. Two prom-
ising seedlings will be recommended for
licensing. In other studies, seedlings were
found to possess high resistance to late blight
and others carried resistance to three different
storage rot diseases.

Vegetable management and nutrition

Effect of seed spacing and fertilizer on pea
yields. Field experiments conducted at three
locations in Prince Edward Island showed
that yields of Dark Skin Perfection (freezer)
and Medalist (canner) peas were not substan-
tially affected by seed spacing. Also, a
preplant broadcast fertilizer treatment (IS-
IS-15 at 392 kg/ha) failed to increase yields.

Effects of added N on leaf tissue B concen-
tration of cauliflower. Applications of N prior
to transplanting cauliflower resulted in in-
creased leaf tissue B concentration at eight of
nine sites studied during 3 yr. Similar experi-
ments with Brussels sprouts showed a trend to
increased leaf tissue B concentration where N
was applied, but differences were usually not
significant. Added P had very little effect on
leaf tissue B concentration of cauliflower or
Brussels sprouts.

Seeding rutabagas on the flat. Seeding on
the flat rather than on traditional single-row
raised beds had little effect on rutabaga yield
in experiments conducted at four locations
over a period of 2 yr. Also, seeding method
had little effect on root shape or root exterior
color.

Effects of weed competition and weed
control on rutabaga yields. Delaying weed
removal for 4 wk after crop emergence
significantly reduced yields of marketable and
total rutabaga roots compared with plots kept

RESEARCH STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

weed free all season. Delayed weeding beyond
4 wk resulted in progressively greater reduc-
tions in yield. Rutabagas kept weed free for 2,
4. 6. and 8 wk from crop emergence by once-
weekly weeding gave yields comparable to
those kept weed free all season. Herbicide
treatments without hand weeding gave signif-
icantly lower yields than those with one hand
weeding. The use of three hand weedings with
herbicides was not significantly better than
herbicides with one hand weeding. Level of
weed control was dependent on weed species
present in the test area; however, a combina-
tion of trifluralin and niclofen gave a broader
spectrum of control and better crop yields
than either used alone.

Vegetable storage study

A vegetable storage study was carried out
to investigate the economic feasibility of
storing locally grown carrots and cabbage for
marketing in the Atlantic region in late winter
and early spring. Common, refrigerated, and
jacketed storages were considered for both
vegetables. Considering the 5 yr average
wholesale paying price and using storage loss
estimates from the available literature, it was
concluded that jacketed storages were the
most profitable for carrots and common
storages were the most profitable for cabbage.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Choo. T. M.; Christie, B. R.; Reinbergs, E. 1979.
Doubled haploids for estimating genetic vari-
ances and a scheme for population im-
provement in self-pollinating crops. Theor.
Appl. Genet. 54:267-271.

Choo, T. M.; Kannenberg, L. W. 1979. Relative
efficiencies of population improvement meth-
ods in corn (Zea mays L.), a simulation study.
CropSci. 19:179-185.

Choo, T. M.; Kannenberg, L. W. 1979. Changes in
gene frequency during mass, modified ear-to-
row and S, selection, a simulation study. Crop
Sci. 19:503-509.

Choo, T. M.; Reinbergs, E. 1979. Studies on the use
of genotype-environment interactions for esti-
mating genetic diversity in barley. Cereal Res.
Commun. 7:77-83.

Choo, T. M.; Reinbergs, E. 1979. Doubled haploids
for estimating genetic variances in presence of
linkage and gene association. Theor. Appl.
Genet. 55:129-132.

Gupta, U. C. 1979. Effect of methods of application
and residual effect of molybdenum on the
molybdenum concentration and yield of for-
ages on Podzol soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:183-
189.

Gupta, U. C. 1979. Some factors affecting the
determination of hot-water-soluble boron from
Podzol soils using azomethine-H. Can. J. Soil
Sci. 59:241-247.

Kunelius, H. T. 1979. Effects of harvest schedules
and nitrogen fertilization on yields, quality,
and ground cover of bromegrass. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:257-259.

Ivany, J. A. 1979. Response of four potato cultivars
to metribuzin time and rate of application.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:417-422.

Johnston, H. W.; MacLeod, J. A.; Clough, K. S.
1979. Effects of cycocel (CCC) and fungicide
sprays on spring wheat grown at three nitrogen
levels. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:917-929.

Johnston, H. W.; Sterling, J. D. E. 1979. Influence
of fungicide seed treatment on barley har-
vested at varying moisture levels. Plant Dis.
Rep. 63:88-91.

Kimpinski, J. 1979. Root lesion nematodes in
potatoes. Am. Potato J. 56:79-86.

McDonald, J. G. 1979. Rod-shaped and spherical
viruslike particles in Puccinia sorghi. Can. J.
■ Plant Pathol. 1:27-30.

Nass, H. G. 1979. Selecting superior spring wheat
crosses in early generations. Euphytica 28:161-
167.

Nass, H. G.; Grant, E. A.; Smeltzer, G. G.;
Langille, J. E.; Bubar, J. S. 1979. Vernon
spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:869-870.

Nass, H. G.; Sterling, J. D. E.; Smeltzer, G. G.;
Langille, J. E.; Bubar, J. S. 1979. Dundas
spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:871-872.

Suzuki, M.; MacKenzie, D. N. 1979. A new
method for sampling overwintering plants in
frozen soils. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:549-550.

Willis, C. B.; Thompson, L. S. 1979. Effects of a
nematicide, a fumigant and fallowing on
Pratylenchus penetrans, yield of Medicago
sativa and Fusarium infections. J. Nematol.
11:265-269.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Winter, K. A.; Gupta, U. C. 1979. Selenium
content of forages grown in Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick and Newfoundland. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:107-11 1.

Miscellaneous

CutclilTe, J. A.; Munro, D. C. 1979. Growing peas
with minimum fertilizer. Can. Agric. 24(2):26.

Gupta, U. C. 1979. Copper in agricultural crops.
Pages 255-288 in J. O. Niragu, ed. Copper in
the environment, Part I. John Wiley and Sons,
New York, N.Y.

Gupta, U. C. 1979. Boron nutrition of crops. Pages
273-307 in N. C. Brady, ed. Advances in
agronomy, Vol. 31. Academic Press, New
York, N.Y.

Gupta, U. C; Cutcliffe, J. A. 1979. Residual effect
of applied boron on cereal yields. Can. Agric.
24(3):15.

Nass, H. G.; Sterling, J. D. E. 1979. Magnetic seed
treatment of cereals on P.E.I. Canadex 1 10.23.

Read, D. C. 1979. Growing rutabagas. Agric. Can.
Publ. 1355. 11 pp. (Revised).

Sterling, J. D. E.; Johnston, H. W.; Munro, D. C.
1979. Seed treatment benefits barley crops.
Canadex 1 14.23.

Suzuki, M.; Johnston, H. W. 1979. Triacontanol
does not increase barley yield under moist
climate in the Maritimes. Canadex 1 14.23.

White, R. P.; Munro, D. C. 1979. Seed size vs yield
and size distribution of Netted Gem potatoes.
Canadex 258.22.

White, R. P.; Piatt, H. W.; Collins, W. B. 1979.
Recommendations for small whole potato seed
production. Canadex 258.20.

Winter, K. A.; Javed, A. H. 1979. Fish waste to fish
silage — A livestock feed. Can. Agric. 24( 1 ): 1 2-
14.

RESEARCH STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

Research Station
Kentville, Nova Scotia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administration

G. M. Weaver, B.Sc, PhD.

D. L. Craig, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

R. G. Ross, D.F.C., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. M. Carter, B.Comm.

Director

Assistant Director (Operations)
Assistant Director (Program)
Administrative Officer

Scientific Support

K. B. McRae,1 B.Ed., M.S., Ph.D.

R. B. Peveril,1 B.Sc.

J. R. E. Sawyer,2 B.Ed., M.L.S.

Statistician

Programmer

Librarian

Crops

D. L. Craig, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

L. E. Aalders, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.

C. R. Blatt, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

I. V. Hall, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. R. Hicklenton, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Plant breeding
Genetics and plant breeding
Physiology and nutrition
Ecology and physiology
Ornamental physiology

Entomology

A. W. MacPhee, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. J. Herbert, B.Sc. (Agr.)
W. T. A. Neilson, B.Sc, M.Sc.
K. H. Sanford, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
H. B. Specht, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Insect ecology

Pheromones and mites

Fruit maggots

Integrated control programs

Vegetable and field crop insects

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

Food Technology

R. Stark, B.Sc., Ph.D.

D. B. Cumming, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. G. Simpson, B.S.A., M.S.

Head of Section; Food technology
Food technology
Technological services

Plant Pathology and Pesticide Residues

R. G. Ross, D.F.C., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. G. Anderson, B.Sc, Ph.D.

C. O. Gourley, CD., B.Sc (Agr.)

E. R. Kimball, B.Sc

M. T. H. Ragab, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

K. I. N. Jensen, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Tree fruit diseases

Vegetable storage diseases

Berry crop diseases

Residue chemistry

Herbicide physiology

Plant Physiology

D. H. Webster, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. D. Lidster, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
P. A. Poapst, B.Sc (Agr.)
C. R. MacEachern, B.Sc.
L. R. Townsend, B.A., B.Sc.

Head of Section; Tree fruit
physiology and nutrition
Storage physiology, tree fruits
Storage physiology, vegetables
Soil chemistry
Plant nutrition

Poultry

F. G. Proudfoot, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S.

H. W. Hulan, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Physiology and
genetics
Nutrition and physiology

Tree Fruits

A. D. Crowe, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Plant breeding
and physiology

Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S.

F. W. Calder, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S.

J. E. Langille, B.Sc. (Agr.)
T. A. Van Lunen, B.S.A.

Officer in Charge; Forage crops

agronomy
Agronomy, cereal, and forage crops
Swine management and nutrition

K. P. Butler, B.A.

Resigned March 1979

Departures

Insect ecology, biometrics

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

L. P. Jackson, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S.

Retired December 1979
C. R. MacEachern, B.Sc.

Retired October 1979
T. M. MacIntyre, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S.

Retired June 1979

Weed physiology

Soil chemistry

Superintendent (Nappan); Livestock
management and nutrition

'Seconded from Systems and Consulting Division, Finance and Administration Branch.
'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

INTRODUCTION

This report summarizes the principal research results from the Research Station at
Kentville and the Experimental Farm at Nappan for 1979. Kentville is the center for research
in horticulture, poultry, food technology, and pesticide residues in the Atlantic Provinces. The
Experimental Farm at Nappan, 80 km north of Kentville, serves as an associate establishment
doing applied and developmental research on the production of cereals, forages, and lowbush
blueberries, and on the management of livestock. The Atlantic region is characterized by a
cool, humid climate and Podzol soils which sustain a diverse agriculture.

The construction at Kentville of the new office-laboratory complex for the federal and
provincial departments of agriculture has made substantial progress during 1979.

This report summarizes the highlights of our research achievements in 1979. Highlights of
research accomplishments include substantial increases in the yields of lowbush blueberries
and remarkable gains in the growth rate of broiler chickens. Requests for further information
or reprints of publications should be addressed to the Research Station, Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, Kentville, N.S. B4N 1 J5.

G. M. Weaver
Director

BREEDING, NUTRITION, AND
CULTURE OF CROPS

Lowbush blueberries

The sweet lowbush blueberry. Vaccinium
angustifolium is a deciduous low shrub
endemic to North America, whose range in
Canada extends from the east coast of New-
foundland to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. It
occurs from Quebec 57°N to Virginia 38°N.
To produce fruit the flowers usually require
cross-pollination by wild bees or related
insects. The fruit of V. angustifolium is edible
and matures during late summer. During the
past 30 yr in the Atlantic Provinces of
Canada many fields abandoned from other
forms of agriculture have been brought into
stands of this species by burn-pruning and
selective weed control.

Germination of lowbush blueberry seeds as
affected by sizing, planting cover, storage,
and pelleting. Lowbush blueberry seeds that
passed through a 30-mesh screen had a total
germination of less than 3% while those that
were retained germinated more than 35%.
Covering the seed more than 5 mm with
either sphagnum or peat reduced germination
below no cover. Germination of seeds stored
dry up to 24 wk was not affected by storage
temperature but seeds stored moist during the
same period showed reduced germination at
both 0° and 21°C. Seeds larger than 30 mesh,
when pelleted, germinated markedly better

over five planting dates than similar nonpel-
leted ones.

Response of lowbush blueberry seedlings
to various dates of digging for storage.
Seedlings of the lowbush blueberry {Vaccin-
ium angustifolium Ait.) grew well after
autumn digging, winter storage at -2°C, and
dormant planting the following spring. Early
November was the best digging time, as
evidenced by plant survival and growth the
following year.

A comparison of fruit yields of lowbush
blueberry clonal lines and related seedling
progenies. Up to 39 t/ha were obtained in
three-harvest cumulative yields of superior
lowbush blueberry materials planted in 1972
and harvested in 1974, 1976, and 1978. Plants
from four select clones yielded an average of
50% more fruit than did their four respective
seedling progenies. At a spacing of 20 000
plants/ha, 70% survived through the third
fruiting season.

Cultivar trials with the lowbush blueberry.
The planting out of fields to cultivars of the
lowbush blueberry is quite recent. To date the
following three cultivars have been named:
Augusta, Brunswick, and Chignecto. Since
yields have been almost as great with seed-
lings from superior clones as with rooted
cuttings, and the cost of raising seedling
plants is much less, growers are using seed-
lings rather than rooted cuttings. Yields two

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

or three times those from native stands are
expected from such plantings.

Strawberries

Breeding for resistance to red stele. Con-
cern about the increase in the spread of red
stele (Phytophthora fragariae) in Nova Sco-
tia strawberry plantings has influenced the
objectives of the Kentville breeding program.
Much of the emphasis is now on the produc-
tion of selections possessing a good level of
field resistance to red stele. Seedlings (2787)
derived from crosses involving one parent
having multistrain resistance were planted in

1978 at Robinson's Corner, Lunenburg
County, in soil known to be severely infected
with red stele. There were 1259 apparently
healthy plants at fruiting time in 1979. Red
stele was evident in the roots of the obviously
unhealthy plants. Twelve selections made in

1979 from the healthy plants have been
propagated for further testing in red-stele-
infected soil.

In addition, 4000 seedlings from crosses
involving a multistrain-resistant parent
crossed to superior cultivars or seedling
selections were inoculated with a complex of
the local strains of red stele. The inoculated
seedlings were planted in a greenhouse during
the 1979 winter in conditions conducive to the
development of the red stele organism. The
1146 seedlings that did not become infected
were planted in June at Robinson's Corner in
red-stele-infected soil. Selections will be made
from these seedlings in 1980.

Raspberries

Red raspberry breeding. The principal
objectives of the Kentville red raspberry
breeding relate to cane hardiness, yield, fruit
quality, disease, and insect resistance. Ap-
proximately 1000 new seedlings are planted
each year from test crosses designed to
produce 100 seedlings per test cross. To date,
207 selections have been made from more
than 12 000 seedlings produced from 169
cross combinations. Progress has been made
in attaining our primary objective of accepta-
ble cane hardiness to our winter climate. To
date, no test cross combination has been
promising enough to repeat on a large scale.
The cross Festival x K.70-15 (Fairview x
Boyne) which fruited in 1979 appeared,
however, to be an exception. Four seedlings
were selected from this cross in addition to 12

others from the 1300 seedlings producing
their first full crop in 1979.

Tomatoes

Effect of fertilizer - trickle irrigation
treatments on the marketable yield of the
Cabot tomato. A fertilizer ratio of 1-2-1 or 80
kg N, 160 kg P2Os, and 80 kg K20 per hectare
consistently produced highest yields of mar-
ketable fruit from the Cabot tomato, with an
average yield increase of 74 and 106% for
1978 and 1979, respectively, when compared
with the ratio 0-1-1. Trickle irrigation gave an
average yield increase of 54% in 1978 and
14% in 1979 compared with no irrigation.
Substantial yield differences were recorded
when the ratio 1-2-1, irrigated, was compared
with 0-1-1, unirrigated, and these were 142
and 157% for 1978 and 1979, respectively.

Apples

A rapid method of determining the depth
in sandy soils at which mechanical imped-
ance will prevent growth of apple tree roots.
The sound produced when soil is tapped with
the handle of a pointing trowel depends upon
the degree of compaction. Provided a suitable
trowel is used, a distinct ringing sound is
produced by the trowel blade if soil is com-
pact enough to prevent growth of apple roots.
The method is relatively unaffected by soil
moisture within the range of 4-30 cbar in soil
that contains more than 60% sand.

Oats

Crude protein content of oat cultivars. A
number of oat cultivars were evaluated for
their crude protein content at Nappan and
Truro from 1973 to 1978. Dal, Otee, and
Goodland averaged over 16% crude protein at
the two locations, while three other cultivars,
Hinoat, Chief, and Spear, averaged over 15%
crude protein. The check cultivars Scott and
Stormont both averaged over 13% protein.
Nine of 14 cultivars evaluated produced crude
protein yields of over 400 kg/ha. Proportion of
hull varied from a high of 30.1% for Hinoat to
a low of 24.2% for Stout. In vitro digestibility
varied between 65 and 70%. Only the culti-
vars Scott, Hinoat, and Stormont are licensed
for sale in Canada.

Annual ryegrass

Annual ryegrass cultivars recommended
for licensing. Two annual ryegrass cultivars
were licensed and recommended in 1979,

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

Maris Ledger, an Italian pasture type, and
Promenade, a Westerwolds silage or green
chop type. This crop is gaining in importance
in the region and has produced dry matter
yields of over 4000 kg/ha under farm condi-
tions. Protein content ranges from 18 to 26%
and in vitro digestibilities have exceeded 70%.
Yield potential is very high under good
management practices. This crop has been
used successfully for pasture, silage, green
chop, and hay.

Fall rye

Superior performance from Animo fall
rye. Animo fall rye has been evaluated in the
region, licensed, and recommended. It has
been found superior to the recommended
cultivar Kustro in yield, 6542 kg/ha com-
pared to 6014 kg/ha at Kentville, and is very
adaptable to the Annapolis Valley. At Nap-
pan, Animo yielded 4672 kg/ha compared to
Kustro with 4533 kg/ha. These cultivars were
compared over a 6 yr period (1974-1979).

Field peas

Effect of delays in seeding field peas. Field
peas are growing in importance for livestock
feed and human consumption. Two cultivars
of field peas, Century and Trapper, were
seeded in replicated trials on three different
dates in the years 1976-1978 at the Experi-
mental Farm, Nappan, N.S. Delays in seed-
ing reduced the yield in most years and
reduced the weight per 1000 K (kernels), but
did not have much effect on crude protein
content unless the delay seeding was excep-
tional. It was concluded, therefore, that
seeding should be done in early May, and
certainly not delayed beyond the first week of
June. Very late seeding reduces yield and can
cause harvesting problems due to poor traf-
ficability on the soil in many areas of the
region.

New field pea variety licensed. Lenca field
peas have been licensed and will be recom-
mended for use in 1981 when seed becomes
available. This cultivar is similar to Century
in growth habit and maturity but superior in
yield.

Ornamentals

Nutrition and growth media for plants
produced in containers. Growth and foliar
nutrient content of two ornamental species,
Juniperus and Euonymus, were compared for
plants cultured in different growth media and

supplied with various fertilizers. Three slow-
release type fertilizers (SCU, Osmocote, and
IBDU) were supplied at the start of the
growing season followed by a standard fertil-
ization regime (weekly irrigation with a 20-
20-20 solution containing 300 ppm nitrogen)
were used in combination with four growth
mediums (soil, sawdust, soil with peat (3:1),
and sawdust with peat (3:1)). The soil with
peat medium produced the most growth and
the best visual rating for plants during 1979.
There were no interactions between growth
medium and fertilizer. Weekly irrigation with
20-20-20 solution produced the most growth
and the best visual rating. However, IBDU
also produced good growth which continued
longer than was observed with either SCU or
Osmocote.

Overwinter storage of plants grown in
containers. Four different methods of storage
were used for containerized woody ornamen-
tals which were used to compare temperature
regimes and plant survival at two locations
representing different plant hardiness zones in
Nova Scotia. Storage facilities consisted of
Quonset-style greenhouses covered with clear,
opaque, or black polyethylene, and a blanket
of flexible polystyrene (trade name Micro-
foam) which was placed over plants laid in
rows on the ground. Preliminary results
indicate that temperatures are maintained at
the highest level underneath the Microfoam
blanket while both opaque and black polyeth-
ylene-covered structures can maintain fairly
constant root and stem zone temperatures.

Improving salt tolerance of ornamental
plants. Salt tolerance of Yellow Twig dog-
wood (Cornus stolonifera), as judged by
visual appearance and growth, was signifi-
cantly improved by spraying with 4000 ppm
of Cycocel (CCC). The treatment initially
resulted in some leaf burning but this was not
extensive. Plants which were sprayed and
grown in a 3:1 sand-peat potting medium
irrigated with salt solution containing NaCl
at 4 g/L appeared to grow as well as those
irrigated with water. Unsprayed plants grown
in salt solution quickly showed growth reduc-
tion and subsequent leaf drop.

Rhododendron breeding, cultivar and spe-
cies testing. Selections and evaluations of
seedlings derived from the breeding program
up to and including 1975 have continued

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

during 1979. Three highly promising seed-
lings selected during the year will undergo
furthur evaluation during 1980.

PROTECTION OF CROPS AGAINST
PESTS

Plant pathology

Effect of fumigation with Vorlex on the
growth of apple trees in replant soils. In a pot
bioassay test on soil for replant disease of
apple, the fumigant Vorlex gave about the
same growth response with Beautiful Arcade
apple seedlings as the standard fumigant
chloropicrin. The response did not differ with
different rates of Vorlex. In a field test, all
rates of Vorlex markedly increased tree
growth, which increased as the rate of chemi-
cal applied was increased from 110 to 450
L/ha. The response at 450 L/ha was about
the same as that with chloropicrin at 280
L/ha.

Monitoring tolerance of apple scab to
fungicides. Isolates of the apple scab fungus,
Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint., tolerant to
dodine were detected following the failure of
dodine to control scab in apple orchards in
which it had been used successfully for many
years. The level of tolerance of isolates to
dodine varied within and among orchards and
increased over those isolated prior to use of
dodine. Orchards appeared to fall into three
groups according to the tolerance and suscep-
tibility of the isolates present, namely: all
isolates tolerant, a mixture of tolerant and
susceptible isolates, or all isolates susceptible.
The latter appeared to come from orchards in
which dodine is still effective against scab.

Control of red stele disease with fungicidal
drenches. Soil drenches of the systemic fun-
gicide Aliette 80 WP [aluminum tris-(0-ethyl
phosphonate)] prevented infection of suscepti-
ble strawberry plants, cv. Redcoat, when set
in soil infested with the red stele fungus,
Phytophthora fragariae Hickman. Yields
from plants in drenched soil were nine times
greater than yields from plants in untreated
soil.

Fruit rot pathogens and other fungi on
fruit and leaves of lingenberry. As part of the
study of the biology and potential cultivation
of native fruits, the fungal flora of fruit and
leaves of lingen berry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea

var. minor Lodd, was investigated. Ten spe-
cies of fungi were identified from healthy
fruit, sixteen from diseased berries, and five
from leaves. Three of the fungi, found on both
diseased and healthy fruit, are the same fungi
that cause storage rot of cranberries, Vaccin-
ium marocarpon Ait. A new species of
Coniochaeta occurred on fruit and leaves.

Insect pests

Observations on the white apple leaf hop-
per. The white apple leaf hopper, Typhlocyba
pomaria McA., with two generations per
year, damages the leaves and defaces the fruit
of apple. It was reduced in numbers in an
experimental orchard by the predatory mirid
Blepharidopterus angulatus (Fall.), which
attacked the second generation. The coldhar-
diness of T. pomaria and B. angulatus
overwintering eggs, which had mean freezing
points of -35°C and -34°C, respectively, was
sufficient to protect these species from winter
low temperatures in Nova Scotia.

Population trends and behavior of the pear
rust mite. The pear rust mite, Epitrimerus
pyri (Nal.), overwinters in a semiactive state
in old leaf scar crevices and under bud chips
of the leaf clusters. It becomes active within
the bud in mid-April, as soon as the weather
warms, and passes through three generations
in the growing season as indicated by distinct
peak egg populations observed in May, June,
and July. The first-generation eggs are laid
within the swelling bud. The mites feed on the
ventral surface of the leaves causing bronzing
and on the calyx end of the fruit resulting in
russeting of the epidermal tissue. Deutogynes
of the third generation begin to enter hiberna-
tion by mid-August. Occasionally population
levels reach economic injury level, resulting in
the downgrading of fruit.

Pest damage and insect fauna of Nova
Scotia apple orchards. Annual assessments
from 1953 to 1977 of insect damage to the
preharvest crop in apple orchards in Nova
Scotia show a general decline in injury, except
for 1966-1968. Laspeyresia pomonella (L.)
and fruit-chewing insects (chiefly Operopht-
era brumata (L.), Alsophila pometaria (L.),
Orthosia hibisci Guenee, Lithophane spp.,
and Xylena spp.) caused the greatest amount
of fruit damage. Dysaphis plantaginea
(Pass.), Campylomma verbasci (Meyer), and
Atractotomus mali (Meyer) were serious in
some years. In integrated control program
orchards the proportion of fruit damaged was

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

twice that in preventative pesticide orchards.
Fruit destined for processing had more injury
than fruit destined for the fresh fruit market.

Population levels of the major insect pests
and their natural enemies were monitored
regularly and gave early warning of threat-
ened levels of pests. Generally, predator
population levels were high during periods of
selective insecticide use but were low when
widely toxic insecticides were introduced into
the integrated control program.

Apple maggot. Application dates for apple
maggot sprays are usually based on adult
emergence records obtained from ground
emergence cages "salted" with infested apples
from unsprayed or abandoned orchards.
Emergence is generally substantial and pro-
vides the maximum period of the fly's appear-
ance, which may or may not be representative
of sprayed orchards with low levels of infesta-
tion. Subsequently, sprays based on these
records could result in unneeded sprays in
many orchards. Recently, it has been shown
that the adults are strongly attracted to
yellow rectangular sticky traps and that the
need to spray and spray dates can be deter-
mined from capture data. The use of capture
data to determine spray needs is preferred as
it is more representative of adult activity in
individual orchards and requires fewer sprays.

Light trapping corn earworm and fall
armyworm. During the summer of 1978 a
network of insect traps was deployed to
selected areas in Nova Scotia. The 125 W
mercury vapor and the 15 W Elisco traps
were used. Corn earworm adults first ap-
peared in large numbers in early August
along the south coast of Nova Scotia, followed
by a few individuals later in August in the
west and central areas. A large number again
appeared on the south coast during Septem-
ber, the south, west, and central areas in early
September, and in all areas including the
north shore in late September and October.
Fall armyworm adults were found only on the
south shore in August but showed up in all
areas during September and October. The
majority of the corn earworm moths were
captured along the south and southwest coasts
and the majority of fall armyworm were
retrieved from the south coast. Although both
species appeared at the same time, corn
earworm moths were more commonly caught
during early and late season, whereas fall

armyworm adults were more numerous dur-
ing mid-season and were more widely
distributed.

Weeds

The biology of Canadian weeds. Rubus
hispidus L., trailing blackberry (Rosaceae),
occurs as a weed in cultivated bush and tree
fruits, lowbush blueberries, cranberries,
Christmas tree plantings, and waste places on
a wide range of soil types in Eastern Canada.
Its ability to regenerate from the crown or
rhizomes following mowing, burning, or her-
bicide treatments makes it difficult to control.

Control of eastern bracken. Cutting once or
twice per season for three successive years
reduced regrowth of eastern bracken on
midsummer treatment areas but not on early-
summer treatments. Annual cutting was
ineffective in eliminating bracken in a natural
stand.

The selective herbicide asulam at 2.24 kg/
ha suppressed 94-98% of bracken fronds in
the year following application. Asulam in
samples of ripe blueberry harvested 1 yr and 2
yr after treatment was less than the detection
limit (0.05 ppm).

Pesticide residues

The thin-layer chromatographic (TLC)
separation of halogenated fumigants as
ammonium halides and their subsequent
determination by M EC A. A method was
developed for the determination of several
pesticides containing bromine and chlorine by
molecular emission cavity analysis (MECA).
The pesticides were decomposed in an oxygen
flash and the combustion products dissolved in
aqueous ammonia. The ammonium halides
were separated by TLC using microcrystalline
cellulose adsorbent. After scraping from the
TLC plates and dissolving in water, the
separated components were quantitated by
MECA using either the InBr (Xmax 376 nm)
or the InCl (À.max -^60 nm) emission bands.
Recoveries of over 96% were obtained.

Movement and persistence of
chlorbromuron in potato soil. The movement
and persistence of chlorbromuron with active
ingredient applied at rates of 1.5, 3, and 6 kg/
ha were studied in a New Brunswick potato
soil for one growing season. Most of the
chlorbromuron remained in the 0-2.5 cm soil
depth with slight residues in the 2.5-5, 5-7.5,
and 7.5-10 cm depths. After 47 days the
chlorbromuron residues had dropped to 40%,

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

then gradually leveled off to 25% at the end of
the season. Chlorbromuron was determined
directly by electron capture gas chromatogra-
phy using a short glass column of 3% OV-210.

HARVESTING, STORAGE, AND
PRESERVATION OF FOODS

Identification of deformation parameters
and fruit response to mechanical damage in
sweet cherry. The incidence of surface pitting
and bruises in sweet cherries {Prunus avium
L. cv. Van) increased with distance of free
fall. Mature fruit developed less surface
pitting but developed more flattened bruises
than less-mature fruit in response to impact
forces. Increased impact force applied to fruit
resulted in a decrease in titratable acidity
after storage. Fruit firmness and bioyield
determined after storage increased to a max-
imum with the height of free fall to 45 cm for
the intermediate fruit maturity only. A sig-
nificantly higher incidence of surface pitting
occurred when fruit contacted rough surfaces
than when fruit was damaged by smooth
surfaces.

Effects of preharvest and postharvest cal-
cium treatments on fruit calcium content and
the susceptibility of Van cherry to impact
damage. Preharvest sprays or postharvest dips
of CaCl, decreased the incidence of surface
pitting of Van cherries {Prunus avium L.)
resulting from impact damage. Inclusion of a
surfactant and thickener in the dip enhanced
Ca uptake by cherries in storage. Ca from
postharvest dips penetrated the cherry meso-
carp rapidly in storage. Maximum Ca uptake
by the cherry mesocarp was attained when the
pH of the dipping solution was 7. However,
postharvest Ca dips were most effective in
preventing surface pitting when their pH was
4.

Effects of a delay in storage and calcium
chloride dip on surface disorder incidence in
Van cherry. A delay in storage at 0°C prior to
impact damage decreased the incidence of
surface disorders due to mechanical damage
in Van cherries {Prunus avium L.). A 4%
CaCl: plus 0.25% Keltrol postharvest dip
reduced the incidence of pitting and surface
marking at all delay periods after dipping.

Partial control of bitter pit in Northern
Spy apples with a postharvest dip in calcium
chloride solution. Bitter pit of Northern Spy

apples that were stored in air in controlled-
atmosphere (CA) storage was decreased by a
postharvest dip in 4% CaCl2 solution contain-
ing 0.35% Keltrol. The calcium treatment
also decreased breakdown, loss of fruit firm-
ness, and fruit acidity, and increased Ca
content of apple cortex tissue. There was no
fruit injury. The dip treatments increased rots
in one instance, presumably from dispersal of
fungal spores during the dipping process and
not due to an effect of calcium. Absorption of
Ca was slightly greater in CA storage than in
air storage. The percentage of apples with
bitter pit (all treatments combined) was
positively correlated with K content of leaf
tissue, with Mg and K content of undipped
fruit cortex tissue, and with (K -I- Mg):Ca
ratios (eg:eg) of leaf and of undipped fruit
cortex tissue. Leaf Ca was significantly re-
lated to pit when combined with leaf (K +
Mg):Ca to multiple regressions.

Texture modification of processed apple
slices by a postharvest heat treatment. Expo-
sure of Spartan apples {Malus pumila Mill)
to 38°C for 6 days immediately after harvest
resulted in a significant reduction in softening
during 4 mo cold storage. The heat treatment
significantly depressed titratable acidity but
did not affect soluble solids levels. After 6 mo
cold storage the apples were prepared as
thermally processed slices in retort pouches
which were stored at 37°C for 16 wk before
product quality was evaluated. Both shear
force determinations and sensory analysis
revealed that the postharvest heat treatment
resulted in significantly firmer apple slices.
Calcium dipping as a preprocess treatment
also significantly increased apple firmness but
control apple slices with calcium added were
only as firm as heat-treated slices without
added calcium. Color of the processed slices
was slightly affected by the heat treatment
but the flavor was not. The sensory panelists
significantly preferred the 38°C postharvest
heat-treated processed apple slices overall.

Ammonia detection in controlled-atmo-
sphere storage. Direct expansion ammonia
(NH,) refrigeration used in cooling many
fruit and vegetable storages always presents a
risk of NH3 leakage and resulting produce
damage. A highly sensitive colorimetric pro-
cedure has been developed for detection of
NH3 leaks in controlled-atmosphere storage
rooms in which NH3 is used as the refrigerant.

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE. N.S.

Effect of maturity and frost on the leaf
color of storage cabbage. Over a 3 yr period,
storage cabbages were {a) harvested at dif-
ferent times or stages of maturity, and (b)
harvested from frosted and nonfrosted plots.
Three color component measurements of the
wrapper leaves were taken during storage on a
Hunterlab color and color difference meter.
The early-harvested cabbages were variable
for "L" lightness but were greener and less
yellow than those from the later harvests or
more mature specimens. Frosted cabbages
were variable for greenness but were lighter
and yellower than the ones that were not
frosted.

Pathogenic promotion of senescence in
cabbage. Ethylene production was stimulated
by Alt e maria brassicicola and Botrytis cine-
rea in closed culture with floating leaf discs
from cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capi-
tata). Production with A. brassicicola had an
observed maximum at 18°C and was speeded
by preculturing the fungus on media contain-
ing cabbage components, but which contained
little or no methionine.

In the absence of cabbage tissue, both
organisms demonstrated a latent capacity to
generate ethylene from closed shake cultures
of Czapek's medium containing L-methionine.
With A. brassicicola in a modified Czapek's
medium (minus ferrous sulfate) containing
10"3 M L-methionine, there was a stimulation
of ethylene production at 18°C by the addi-
tion of Fe2 + , Fe3 + , Cu2 + , ca. 8% carbon
dioxide, or the potassium salt of gibberellic
acid (GA3). With B. cinerea, 4% carbon
dioxide was stimulatory and 29% carbon
dioxide was inhibitory, whereas less than 4%
oxygen arrested the production of ethylene
completely for 48 h.

Results suggest that the nature of parasit-
ism of A. brassicicola and B. cinerea on
cabbage is characterized by a latent capabil-
ity to cause the production of, and to produce,
the plant-senescing hormone ethylene.

The role of endogenous acetaldehyde and
ethanol in the prevention of greening in cold-
stored Kennebec potato tubers. Analyses of
the gaseous content of cv. Kennebec potato
tubers which received poststorage applications
of aqueous surfactant emulsions formulated
to prevent greening revealed minute increases
(^0.5 /xL/L) in internal acetaldehyde and
ethanol content. When excised peel tissue was
exposed to concentrations of acetaldehyde or
ethanol of ca. 0.6 /JiL/L for 6 days at 22°C

with a bench level illumination of 1100 lx
cool white fluorescent, the chlorophyll produc-
tion was halved. It was felt that reductions in
peel chlorophyll previously attributed to an
increased concentration of internal C02 may
also relate to the presence of the toxic
volatiles of aerobic C02 zymasis, viz. acetal-
dehyde and ethanol.

The conception, development, and testing
of a new blanching system for the food
processing industry. Blanching as a commer-
cial process, though vitally necessary, tends to
be energy intensive and high in effluent
production, and in many cases significantly
reduces the nutrient content of products. Over
a 5 yr period a new prototype blancher has
been developed which has been demonstrated
to reduce energy requirements as much as 20
times when compared to conventional proce-
dures. Most vegetables tested show ascorbic
acid retentions of 85-90% of fresh and
improvements in retention over water blanch
processes of up to 52%. Effluent volumes and
overall loads tend to be significantly reduced.

Extensive testing has shown the new
process system provides significant im-
provements in the process parameters outlined
above while yielding products of high quality,
in many cases superior to conventionally
processed products. A program is now under
way to develop the system as a commercial
entity. A unit capable of blanching peas at
2722 kg/h will be tested during the processing
season of 1979.

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Cattle

Effect of feeding rumensin to beef cows.
The feeding of rumensin to beef cows has
consistently resulted in heavier body weights
during pregnancy when feed intake is re-
stricted as well as during lactation when feed
is offered ad libitum. It has not adversely
affected the rate of gain of calves being
nursed by cows being fed rumensin, nor the
reproductive performance of the cows.

Sheep

Dehydrated alfalfa as a grain substitute
for ewes. Dehydrated alfalfa proved to be an
excellent substitute for grain in the diet of
pregnant and lactating ewes. Alfalfa pellets
were given in restricted amounts during
gestation and ad libitum during lactation. At

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

weaning, ewes fed the conventional grain and
hay diet weighed 54.9 kg, those fed alfalfa
pellets 63.5 kg, and those fed a combination of
alfalfa pellets and grain 65.8 kg. These results
show that processed, high-quality forages can
be used as a replacement for grains.

Growth promotants for finishing lambs.
The addition of cement kiln dust as 2% of
concentrate diet fed ad libitum to lambs
resulted in a liveweight gain exceeding 30%.
The addition of sodium bicarbonate at a 2%
rate gave a weight gain response which was
about 80% of that obtained with the addition
of an equal amount of cement kiln dust.
Similar results were obtained from a repeat
experiment.

Hogs

Supplementing diets for feeder hogs with
crystalline amino acids. Results of research
at Nappan indicate that the protein level of
conventional starter, grower, and finisher
diets may be reduced by as much as 2
percentums provided the diets are supple-
mented with low levels of the amino acids
lysine, cystine, and methionine.

Poultry

Nutritional value and quality of squid
(Illex illecebrosus) meal as source of dietary
protein for broiler chicken. Squid meal
(SqM), produced by grinding and drying the
whole squid (Illex illecebrosus) common to
the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean,
had a protein content of 645 g/kg and
appeared limiting with respect to lysine,
methionine, and cystine. Although a compari-
son of the essential amino acid profiles of
SqM with other protein concentrates indi-
cated that SqM was higher than fish meal and
soybean meal but lower than casein or whole-
egg protein, these tests could not accurately
predict protein quality.

A nutritional evaluation of SqM as a source
of protein for poultry was carried out using
320 male and 320 female Cobb chicks fed to
48 days, a control diet with an SqM content
of 50 g/kg fish meal or test diets with an SqM
content of 50 g, 100 g, or 150 g/kg. Feeding
SqM at a rate of up to 100 g/kg diet resulted
in optimum biological response and monetary
returns.

Effects of using 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%
Lignosol FG as a pellet binder in broiler
chick finisher diets. At slaughter age (47

days) cecal contents of birds on diets contain-
ing 2.0% Lignosol FG were gray black, shiny,
and gelatinous. Lignosol FG used at and up to
1.5% of the diet had little or no abnormal
effect on cecal contents. Histological exami-
nation of different regions of the digestive
tract failed to reveal any significant abnor-
malities. The use of this pellet binder at
different levels had no significant effect on
performance.

Effect of water sodium on the chick re-
quirement for dietary sodium. Broiler chicks
fed a basal wheat-soybean diet designed to be
complete in all known nutrients failed to
achieve optimal growth at 3 wk of age.
Increments of dietary sodium resulted in
increased growth responses and improved feed
efficiencies. The sodium requirement for
optimum weight gain was found to be greater
than the NRC (1971) requirement when the
water sodium level was 3 ppm. The addition
of 50 ppm of sodium to the drinking water
improved growth and feed efficiency. When
100 ppm was added to the drinking water, a
further increase in growth was obtained
equivalent to that of birds receiving the basal
diet to which increments of sodium were
added up to 0.15%. Sodium in the drinking
water was shown to be utilized more effec-
tively than was sodium in the feed.

Effect of four stocking densities on broiler
carcass grade, incidence of breast blisters,
and other performance traits. A total of 3544
chicken broilers were housed at 3.72, 5.55,
7.44, and 9.27 dm2 floor area per bird.
Increased bird density resulted in a linear
reduction in body weight of both males and
females and adversely affected carcass qual-
ity. There was an increase in the incidence of
breast blisters in both sexes. With increasing
stocking density, monetary returns per bird
started declining linearly but an opposite
effect occurred when returns were based on
units of floor area.

Response of turkey broilers to different
stocking densities, lighting treatments, toe
clipping, and intermingling the sexes. A total
of 7428 turkey poults was used to evaluate the
interrelated effects of stocking density, light-
ing, toe clipping, and intermingling the sexes.
Mortality was unaffected by stocking density.
Although high stocking density had the effect
of reducing body weight and percent Grade A
carcasses, monetary returns were highest per
unit of floor area for birds grown under high

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

stocking density conditions. There was no
apparent monetary advantage in extending
the slaughter age from 98 to 119 days for
males or by rearing the sexes separately to 14
wk oï age. Body weights of birds grown under
low-intensity green light were heaviest, but
this was not reflected in higher monetary
returns. There was no beneficial effect result-
ing from toe clipping. Body weight was
adversely affected by toe clipping. In a
windowless building, adequately ventilated,
with the capability of maintaining low inter-
nal temperatures (not exceeding 21°C), high
stocking density and low light intensity may
be useful in the conservation of heat and light
energy.

Feed restriction during the juvenile and
adult periods of meat breeder hens. A com-
parison of skip-a-day feeding with ad libitum
feeding during the growing period of meat
breeders resulted in reduced body weights,
heavier egg weight, increased numbers of
hatching eggs, and higher fertility and hatch-
ability so that more broiler chicks were
produced per hen housed. Adult feed restric-
tion compared to ad libitum feeding also
resulted in reduced body weight. Although

egg production was reduced by the higher of
two levels of restriction, egg weights were
increased and the numbers of hatching eggs
produced were increased. The higher hatch-
ability associated with adult feed restriction
contributed to an increase in the number of
broiler chicks produced.

Photoperiod effects on the performance of
meat breeder hens. Two photoperiod treat-
ments were compared with a constant 14 h
period of light per 24 h cycle. A "17-9-14
photoperiod'" consisted of a daylength starting
at 17 h at 1 day of age reduced by weekly
decrements to 9 h at 140 days of age, then
increased 30 min/wk until a 14 h day was
achieved. In the second trial the 17-9-14
photoperiod was compared with a photoperiod
which was increased from 12 h and 40 min to
1 5 h at 49 days of age, then decreased to 1 3 h
at 133 days which was held constant to 147
days of age at which time it was increased 15
min/wk until a 15 h day was achieved at 197
days of age which was continued to the end of
the lay period. The 17-9-14 photoperiod
supported performance which was equal or
superior to performance exhibited by birds
under either the constant 14 h or the 12:40-
15-13-15 h photoperiod.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Aalders, L. E.; Hall, I. V. 1979. Germination of
lowbush blueberry seeds as affected by sizing,
planting cover, storage and pelleting. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:527-530.

Aalders, L. E.; Hall, I. V.; Brydon, A. C. 1979. A
comparison of fruit yields of lowbush blueberry
clonal lines and related seedlings. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:875-877.

Abdel-Kadar, M. H. K.; Peach, M. E.; Ragab, M.
T. H.; Stiles, D. A. 1979. The thin layer
chromatographic separation of halogenated
fumigants as ammonium halides and their
subsequent determination by MECA. Anal.
Lett. 12:1399-1410.

Chipman, E. W.; Thorpe, E. 1979. Effect of
maturity and frost on the leaf color of storage
cabbage. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:429-435.

Corlett, M.; Ross, R. G. 1979. Morphology of
Spilocaea pomi on untreated and benomyl-
treated Mcintosh apple leaves. Can. J. Plant
Pathol. 1:79-84.

Craig, D. L. 1970. Minas maid rhododendron. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:1165.

Gourley, C. O. 1979. Cleistothecia of Sphaeratheca
macularis on strawberry leaves in Nova Sco-
tia. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:4, 80.

Gourley, C. O. 1979. Further observations on
cranberry fungi in Nova Scotia. Can. Plant
Dis. Surv. 59:1, 15-17.

Gourley, C. O. 1979. Verticillium dahliae from
stunted plants of summer savory. Can. Plant
Dis. Surv. 59:1, 18.

Gourley, C. O.; Nickerson, N. L. 1979. Pithoascus
intermedins from seeds of Vaccinium angusti-
folium. Can. J. Bot. 57:1218-1219.

Hall, I. V. 1979. The cultivar situation in lowbush
blueberry in Nova Scotia. Fruit Var. J. 33:54-
56.

Hall, I. V.; Aalders, L. E. 1979. Response of
lowbush blueberry seedlings to various dates of
digging for storage. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:261-
262.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Hall, I. V.; Aalders, L. E.; Nickerson, N. L.;
Vander Kloet, S. P. 1979. The biological flora
of Canada. 1. Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.,
sweet lowbush blueberry. Can. Field-Nat.
93:415-430.

Herbert, H. J. 1979. Population trends and behav-
ior of the pear rust mite, Epitrimerus pyri
(Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea), on pears in Nova
Scotia. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:955-957.

Hulan, H. W.; Proudfoot, F. G. 1979. Effect of
different dietary regimes on performance of
turkey broilers. Poult. Sci. 58:1069 (Abstract).

Hulan, H. W.; Proudfoot, F. G.; Zarkadas, C. G.
1979. The nutritional value and quality of
squid (Illex illecebrosus) meal as a source of
dietary protein for broiler chicken. Br. J. Nutr.
41:163-173.

Jensen, K. I. N.; Hall, I. V. 1979. The biology of
Canadian weeds. 36. Rubus hispidus. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:769-776.

Lidster, P. D.; Porritt, S. W.; Tung, M. A. 1979.
Effects of a delay in storage and calcium
chloride dip on surface disorder incidence in
'Van' cherry. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci.
104(3):298-300.

Lidster, P. D.; Tung, M. A. 1979. Identification of
deformation parameters and fruit response to
mechanical damage in sweet cherry. J. Am.
Soc. Hortic. Sci. 104:808-811.

Lidster, P. D.; Tung, M. A.; Garland, M. R.;
Porritt, S. W. 1979. Texture modification of
processed apple slices by a postharvest heat
treatment. J. Food Sci. 44:998-1007.

Lidster, P. D.; Tung, M. A.; Yada, R. G. 1979.
Effects of preharvest and postharvest calcium
treatments of fruit calcium content and the
susceptibility of 'Van1 cherry to impact dam-
age. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 104:790-793.

MacLellan, C. R. 1979. Pest damage and insect
fauna of Nova Scotia apple orchards. Can.
Entomol. 111:985-1004.

Menzies, D. R.; Pree, D. J.; Fisher, R. W.; Chish-
olm, D. 1979. Correlation of spray coverage
ratings, and phosmet residues with mortality of
oriental fruit moth larvae. J. Econ. Entomol.

72:721-724.

MacPhee, A. W. 1979. Observations on the white
apple leafhopper. Typhlocyba pomaria (He-
miptera: Cicadellidae), and on the mirid pred-
ator Blepharidopterus angulates, and mea-
surements of their cold-hardiness. Can.
Entomol. 111:487-490.

Nass, H. G.; Grant, E. A.; Smeltzer, G. G.;
Langille, J. E.; Bubar, J.S. 1979. Vernon
spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:869-870.

Nass, H. G.; Sterling, J. D. E.; Grant, E. A.;
Smeltzer, G. G.; Langille, J. E.; Bubar, J. S.
1979. Dundas spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:871-872.

Porritt, S. W.; Lidster, P. D. 1979. AmmOnia
detection in controlled atmosphere storage.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:551-552.

Poapst, P. A.; Forsyth, F. R. 1978. Coating of
potatoes to prevent greening. U.S. Patent No.
4123558.

Poapst, P. A.; Forsyth, F. R. 1978. Coating of
potatoes to prevent greening. British Patent
No. 1520980.

Poapst, P. A.; Forsyth, F. R. 1979. Coating of
potatoes to prevent greening. Canadian Patent
No. 1062538.

Poapst, P. A. 1979. The role of endogenous acetal-
dehyde and ethanol in the prevention of green-
ing in cold-stored Kennebec potato tubers.
Potato Res. 22(4):339-343.

Poapst, P. A.; Ramsoomair, B. A.; Gourley, C. O.
1979. On the promotion of senescence in
Brassica oleracea var. capitata by Alternaria
brassicicola and by Botrytis cinerea. Can. J.
Bot. 57:2378-2386.

Proudfoot, F. G. 1979. Effect of rearing and adult
feed restriction and photoperiod regimens on
the performance of four meat parent chicken
genotypes. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:749-759.

Proudfoot, F. G.; Hulan, H. W.; DeWitt, W. F.
1979. Effects of using 0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%
"Lignosol F. G." as a pellet binder in broiler
chick finisher diets. Poult. Sci. 58:87-89.

Proudfoot, F. G.; Hulan, H. W.; DeWitt, W. F.
1979. Response of turkey broilers to different
stocking densities, lighting treatments, toe
clipping, and intermingling the sexes. Poult.
Sci. 58:28-36.

Proudfoot, F. G.; Hulan, H. W.; Ramey, D. R.
1979. The effect of four stocking densities on
broiler carcass grade, the incidence of breast
blisters and other performance traits. Poult.
Sci. 58:791-793.

Ragab, M. T. H.; Everett, C. F.; Chaisson, C. A.
1979. Persistence and movement of
chlorbromuron in potato soil. J. Environ. Sci.
Health B 14:181-195.

Ross, E. 1979. The effect of water sodium on the
chick requirement of dietary sodium. Poult.
Sci. 58:626-630.

Webster, D. H.; Forsyth, F. R. 1979. Partial control
of bitter pit in Northern Spy apples with a
post-harvest dip in calcium chloride solution.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:717-723.

RESEARCH STATION, KENTVILLE, N.S.

Webster, D. H.; Prouse, C. C. 1979. A rapid
method of determining the depth in sandy soil
at which mechanical impedance will prevent
growth of apple tree roots. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:431-434.

Wood, G. W.; McRae, K. B.; Estabrooks, E. N.
1979. A reassessment of blueberry production
in New Brunswick. Can. J. Agric. Econ. 27:85-
91.

Miscellaneous

Crowe, A. D. 1979. Decision making the orchard
enterprise: What are your objectives? N.S.
Fruit Grow. Assoc. Annu. Rep. 1 15:76-78.

Crowe, A. D. 1979. Fruit development and abor-
tion. N.S. Fruit Grow. Assoc. Annu. Rep.
115:65-70.

Crowe, A. D. 1979. Novamac apple. Can. Hortic.
Counc, Annu. Rep. Comm. Hortic. Res.

1978:274.

Experimental Farm, Nappan. 1979. Annual Report
1978.

Forsyth, F. R.; Porter, M. J.; Crowe, A. D. 1979.
Chemical thinners and other growth regulators
for fruit trees. Atlantic Hortic. Comm. Publ.
AHC-15.8pp.

Hall, I. V. 1978. Lowbush blueberry plantings in
Eastern Canada. Proc. 14th Annu. Meet. N.
Am. Blueberry Assoc, pp. 42-43.

Herbert, H. J. 1979. Population trends and behav-
ior of the pear rust mite. N.S. Fruit Grow.
Assoc. Annu. Rep. 1 15:55-56.

Hicklenton, P. R.; Jolliffe, P. A. 1979. Caution
advised in the use of high CO, concentrations
in greenhouses. Canadex 290.

Hulan, H. W.; Proudfoot, F. G. 1979. Genotype
and dietary effects on general performance and
incidence of leg abnormalities of roaster chick-
ens. Proc. 1 5th Guelph Nutr. Conf. pp. 7-12.

Jensen, K. I. N. 1979. Guide to chemical weed
control in raspberries and highbush blueber-
ries. Agdex 237-239/641.

Khera, G. S.; Crowe, A. D. 1979. Choosing the best
orchard system. N.S. Fruit Grow. Assoc.
Annu. Rep. 115:84-98.

Langille, J. E. 1979. Dates for seeding field peas.
Canadex 142:22.

Langille, J. E. 1979. Forage peas show promise.
Forage Notes 24(1 ):3 1-32.

Langille, J. E.; Bubar, J. S. 1979. Protein oat trials.
Canadex 1 13:30.

Lidster, P. D. 1979. Cherry bruising. Agric. Sci.

News 2:4.

Lidster, P. D. 1979. How to prevent damage to
cherries. Country Life B.C. 73(4):6, 12.

MacLellan, C. R. 1979. Recent advances in phero-
mone trapping of apple pests. N.S. Fruit Grow.
Assoc. Annu. Rep. 1 15:56-59.

Palfrey, G. D.; Jensen, K. I. N. 1979. Late summer
and fall weed control in strawberries. Agdex
232/641.

Proudfoot, F. G. 1979. Handling hatching eggs.
Agric. Can. Publ. 1573 (Revision).

Proudfoot, F. G.; Hulan, H. W. 1979. A review of
research pertaining to management techniques
for broiler chickens. Proc. West Virginia Poult.
Conv. pp. 17-31.

Proudfoot, F. G.; Hulan, H. W. 1979. Squid meal
in chicken broiler diets. Canadex 452:55.

Sanford, K. H. 1979. Some good and bad effects of
newer chemicals on mites and insects. N.S.
Fruit Grow. Assoc. Annu. Rep. 1 15:49-54.

Specht, H. B. 1979. Light trapping corn earworm
and fall armyworm. Can. Agric. 24:23-24.

Webster, D. H. 1979. Orchard fertility. Agdex 211/
541.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Fredericton, New Brunswick

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

C. S. Bernard, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Vacant

D. B. Gammon,1 M. A.
N. Taniguchi," B.L.S.

G. W. Wood, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.

D. A. Young, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Director

Administrative Officer

Library Area Coordinator

Librarian

Officer in Charge, Michaud

Experimental Farm
Officer in Charge, Benton Ridge

Environmental Quality and Soils

T. L. Chow, B.Sc., Ph.D.

C. F. Everett, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. R. King, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. A. MacLean, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. R. Saini, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Soil hydrology
Weed control
Residue chemistry
Soil chemistry and environmental
quality
Soil physics

Animal Nutrition and Livestock Feeds

P. L. Burgess, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. S. Bush, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. D. McLeod, B.A.Sc, M.A.Sc

R. E. McQueen, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. W. G. Nicholson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Dairy cattle nutrition
Calf nutrition
Agricultural mechanization
engineering
Rumen microbiology
Meat animal nutrition

Potatoes

R. H. Bagnall, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. Boiteau, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
M. C. Clark, B.Sc, Ph.D.
W. K. Coleman, B.Sc, Ph.D.
W. B. Collins, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Virus resistance
Potato insect ecology
Biochemistry of disease resistance
Potato physiology
Potato physiology

RESEARCH STATION, FREDER1CT0N, N.B.

H. DeJong, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

W. A. Hodgson, B.Sc, M. Se.
G. R. Johnston, B.S.A., M. S. A.
M. E. MacGillivray, B.A., M. Se,

D.Sc, F.E.S.C.
A. R. McKenzie, B.Sc, M.Sc., PhD.
G. C. Misener, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. P. Singh, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. C. C. Tai, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
T. R. Tarn, B.Sc, PhD.
D. A. Young, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Diploid breeding and genetics of

potato
Late blight of potato
Potato breeding and evaluation
Potato insect ecology, aphid

physiology
Tuber-borne pathogens of potato
Potato harvesting and storage

engineering
Virus diseases of potato
Quantitative genetics of potato
Cytogenetics of potato
Potato breeding and genetics

Small Fruits and Vegetables

P. V. LeBlanc, B.Sc, B.S.A.

C. D. McLeod, B.A.Sc, M.A.Sc

G. W. Wood, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.

Vegetables, Michaud Experimental

Farm
Agricultural mechanization

engineering
Blueberry pests

Departures

E. A. Grant, B.Sc, M.Sc.
Retired 28 December 1979

J. G. Kemp, B.Eng.

Retired 28 December 1979
C. H. Lawrence, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Retired 28 December 1979
G. M. Weaver, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Transferred to Research Station, Kentville, N.S.,

30 March 1979

F. J. Whitten

Retired 28 December 1979

Forage and cereal crops

Forage harvesting and storage
engineering
Tuber-borne pathogens of potato

Director

Administrative Officer

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Fredericton Research Station is the main potato research center for the Research
Branch of Agriculture Canada. Scientists of diverse disciplines integrate their expertise into a
multidisciplinary program on breeding, pathology, pest management, physiology and nutrition,
and handling and storage procedures. While their research, in the past, has been supportive of
the industry for the Canadian market, it has recently been expanded to provide the technology
for the export of seed potatoes, including cultivar evaluation in potential import countries.

The livestock program deals with cattle and sheep, and is pursued in close collaboration
with the Nappan Experimental Farm of the Kentville Station.

The vegetable and berry crops program is receiving added emphasis since the acquisition
of the Michaud Experimental Farm, purchased in 1978 specifically for this type of research.
Up to now, efforts have been devoted mainly to land improvement in preparation for full-scale
trials by 1980.

The environmental quality program has a broad spectrum of activities, dealing as much
with maintaining the quality of the agricultural land base as preventing cultural practices from
polluting the soil, the waterways, or the crops.

We note, in 1979, the departure of five worthy colleagues, and in particular the transfer of
Dr. G. M. Weaver to his present position as Director of the Kentville Research Station.

The present report deals briefly with some of the on-going research and the results derived
therefrom. More complete information is available by addressing requests to the Research
Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Box 20280, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 4Z7.

C. S. Bernard
Director

ANIMAL NUTRITION AND
LIVESTOCK FEEDS

Chemical changes in fermented colostrum

Previous studies have shown that colostrum
preserved by fermentation will not support the
same growth rate in calves as whole milk.
During fermentation, chemical changes occur
in the colostrum due to bacterial growth;
these were measured over a 24 day fermenta-
tion period.

The main initial product of fermentation by
the inoculum bacteria was lactic acid. Its
production corresponded to a drop in pH and
an increase in titratable acidity. As the
fermentation proceeded, there was a second
increase in titratable acidity due to the
production of volatile fatty acids. Lactic acid
and volatile fatty acids were end products of
lactose metabolism. In four separate incuba-
tions with Streptococcus lactis approximately
60% of the lactose that was metabolized could
be accounted for as acidic end products.
Using yogurt bacteria, it was found that 70%
of the lactose was acidic end products when
the pH decreased to less than 4.1 and little
volatile fatty acid was produced, but when the

pH was not sufficiently low only 47% of the
lactose was accounted for.

As much as 35% of the colostrum protein
has been shown to be metabolized to a
nontrichloroacetic acid precipitable form
during fermentation. This is frequently called
nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) and has been
assumed to be of no value to the calf. As a
preruminant, the calf does not have a rumen
microbial population capable of synthesizing
amino acids and proteins from NPN. The
NPN in the fermented colostrum was found
to be 60% or more free amino acids and
peptides, and less than 40% of the NPN was
free ammonia. Therefore, much of the NPN
provides useful nutrients for the calf.

Formalin-preserved colostrum

Formalin added to milk or colostrum at
0.1% (vol/vol) will inhibit bacterial growth
without decreasing the palatability of the
product for calves. The effects of formalin on
chemical changes in colostrum were measured
over a 24 day period.

Formalin treatment held the amount of
lactose metabolized to less than 50% of the
starting level. Therefore, less lactic acid was

RESEARCH STATION, FREDERICTON, N.B.

produced, titratable acidity was greatly re-
duced, and the pH of the product was much
greater than when colostrum was allowed to
ferment. There were no volatile fatty acids
produced in any formalin-treated samples.
The NPN fraction did not increase by more
than 5% during 24 days of storage. At least
80% of the NPN fraction was amino acids or
peptides. It was concluded that 0.1% formalin
was preferable to fermentation as a method of
storing colostrum because there was much
less chemical alteration of the preserved
product.

Densely seeded corn for cattle

Two fields were divided into halves and
seeded to corn at the normal rate (60 000-
65 000 plants per hectare) or densely
(90 000-100 000 plants per hectare) in an
attempt to increase the dry matter yield per
hectare without adversely affecting plant
maturity. The first field was harvested 21-22
September after slight frosting and the second
field was harvested 3-4 October after severe
frosting. Dry matter yield was increased by
about 10% with dense seeding.

The early-harvested silages were fed ad
libitum to dairy cows for 8 wk. Silage and
total dry matter intakes were similar and the
milk produced had the same fat and protein
contents. Significant differences were detected
{P < 0.05) between the two silages in 4% fat
corrected milk production and body weight
gains. The early-harvested, densely seeded
corn had less ear development, resulting in a
silage with a reduced energy content and a
lower feeding value for milk production.

The later-harvested corn was fed to beef
calves. The animals fed the densely planted
corn did not eat quite as much dry matter per
day (5.42 versus 5.87 kg, P < 0.01) nor gain
weight as fast (1.38 versus 1.48 kg, P < 0.05)
as those fed the normal corn. However,
because of the higher dry matter yield per
hectare the densely planted corn produced
3038 kg of beef per hectare compared with
2750 kg for the normally seeded silage.

Red clover silage for steers

Red clover is the most commonly grown
hay crop legume in Eastern Canada but it is
difficult to dry for hay and many farmers
hesitate to preserve it as silage because of
inconsistent quality. In this experiment the
ensiling characteristics of a tetraploid culti-
var, Hungarpoli, were compared with those of

a standard diploid cultivar, Ottawa. Both first
and second cuttings were ensiled.

The silages were fed to beef calves ad
libitum along with a supplement at 1 kg/day.
The supplement fed to half of the calves
contained monensin, which increased gains by
8% and the conversion of silage dry matter to
weight gain by 9%. A preservative of 3% of a
9:1 mixture of barley and malted barley was
added to the first-cut silage only. Silage
quality and animal performance were excel-
lent with all four silages. When ensiled
without preservatives the tetraploid Hungar-
poli red clover gave better results than the
diploid Ottawa cultivar. Dry matter yields
were 13% higher for the Hungarpoli cultivar.

Pesticide residues on potato vines

Previously, we showed that potato vines
harvested before senescence contain a useful
level of nutrients for ruminants and after
ensiling do not contain levels of glycoalkaloids
likely to be harmful. Before vines can be
recommended as feed, the levels of pesticide
residues and their possible toxic effects on
animals must be determined. In the summer
of 1978 samples of potato vines were collected
from 1 1 farmers' fields and from seven
cultivars at the Benton Ridge Substation and
analyzed for residues. The insecticides were
present in only trace amounts but significant
levels of the fungicides chlorothalonil and
ethylenebisdithiocarbamate were found. Eth-
ylene thiourea, an undesirable metabolite of
ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, was not detected
in either the fresh foliage or the silage.
Additional work will be required before
potato vines can be recommended as cattle
feed.

Potato-hay silage made in winter

Cull potatoes and chopped hay mixed at 3:1
(wt/wt) make excellent silage when ensiled in
the fall. Cull potatoes are available
throughout the winter but it was not known if
they could be ensiled satisfactorily during
cold weather. Preliminary observations with
pulped potatoes and chopped hay ensiled in
plastic bags and placed in a freezer, cooler, or
open room (about 20°C) for 4 wk and then at
room temperature for 4 wk indicated that
satisfactory preservation would take place
under these conditions.

In February 1978 upright, concrete stave
silos were partly filled with 3:1 mixtures of
potatoes with chopped grass or legume hay.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

When opened, the silages had the characteris-
tics of normal potato-hay silage, and chemi-
cal parameters measured indicated normal
fermentation had occurred. The silages aver-
aged 37% dry matter, silage dry matter
consumption by beef steers averaged 7.56 kg/
day, weight gains were 0.94 kg/day, and
conversion of silage dry matter to gain was 8.1
kg/kg.

Once-calved beef heifers

Calf production per animal maintained can
be increased by calving out beef heifers
intended for slaughter. A comparison was
made between matched groups of open heifers
marketed at 460 kg and heifers bred to calve
before they were 24 mo of age. The bred
heifers nursed their calves for 42 days before
the calves were weaned and the heifers dried
off and slaughtered. The open heifers had
heavier carcass weights, 240 versus 225 kg,
and higher average grades. At the prices
prevailing, the average value for a carcass
from the open heifers was $713 versus $656
for the bred heifers. The calves averaged 73
kg at weaning at 42 days of age and were
valued at $182 for a total return from the
bred heifers of $838. Offsetting the higher
income was the extra 340 kg of feed dry
matter consumed by the bred heifers at a cost
of $30. The bred heifers returned $95 more
over feed costs than did the open heifers.
These results confirm previous observations
that there is a considerable economic advan-
tage to calving out beef heifers intended for
slaughter.

Cement kiln dust fed to cannulated sheep

Cement kiln dust supplementation of cer-
tain diets has given large increases in feed
intake and rate of gain of ruminants. It is
thought that the mode of action is by buffer-
ing digesta in certain segments of the diges-
tive tract. A high-concentrate, ground diet
was fed to sheep in metabolism cages and the
pH of the digesta measured in the rumen,
abomasum, duodenum, and feces. The diet
was supplemented with 2% sodium bicarbon-
ate and 2% or 4% cement kiln dust. As a
result of frequent episodes of feed refusals,
results obtained were highly variable. The pH
of only the feces was consistently raised by the
cement kiln dust. The fecal pH values were
6.70 for control, 6.62 for 2% sodium bicarbon-
ate, 7.07 for 2% cement kiln dust, and 7.40 for
4% cement kiln dust. In the same treatment

order, rumen pH values were 6.50, 6.58, 6.46,
and 6.45; abomasal pH 2.72, 2.73, 2.86, and
2.97; and duodenal pH 3.08, 3.27, 3.25, and
3.60. If the effect of cement dust is due to
buffering, it must exert its influence in the
lower part of the digestive tract.

Weight loss on turnout to pasture

Young cattle that are well fed through the
winter will lose up to 20% of body weight
during the first 2 or 3 wk after turnout to
pasture. It is widely assumed that this is
mainly gut fill, but data collected here over
the past 2 yr show this does not account for all
the weight loss. On 29 May 1979, 10 heavy
beef steers (average 484 kg) were turned out
to pasture, while 10 paired steers were fed
indoors. Two steers from each group were
killed on 1 and 6 June and weekly thereafter
until 27 June. For the five slaughter dates the
matched inside-fed steers exceeded the pas-
tured steers by 28, 54, 72, 68, and 63 kg for
liveweight; 0, 21, 18, 26, and 28 kg for carcass
weight; 15, 20, 41, 22, and 7 kg for rumen
contents; and NA, 20, 46, 31, and 14 kg for
total gastrointestinal tract.

A group of lighter beef steers (average 394
kg) lost 11% of body weight from turnout on
29 May to 13 June, when maximum weight
loss was recorded, compared with 15% for the
heavy steers described above and only 6% for
a group of thinner Holstein heifers of about
the same age (14-15 mo) and weight (406 kg)
as the light steers. These data show that
conditions of turnout affect weight loss, that
loss of gut fill does not account for all the
liveweight loss, and that there is a significant
loss of carcass weight.

White-rot fungi to improve digestibility of
poplar shavings

The feasibility of using white-rot fungi to
increase the digestibility of poplar shavings
for ruminants was studied on a laboratory
scale. Five species having the highest true
protein contents in their mycelia when grown
in liquid mediums were selected for study
from a total of 18. Isolates of the five species
Polyporus anceps, Polyporus versicolor, Gan-
oderma applanation, Phanerochaete chryso-
sporium, and Fomitopsis ulmaria were stud-
ied for their ability to degrade lignin while
sparing carbohydrate as they grew on poplar
savings. Static, semisolid fermentations were
set up with a mixture of 10 g of shavings and
40 mL of a buffered minimal medium.

RESEARCH STATION, FREDERICTON, N.B.

Weekly changes in chemical composition of
the fermented mass and its in vitro rumen and
cellulase digestibility were monitored. Max-
imum improvement in digestibility was ob-
tained in 3 or 4 wk with four of the fungal
strains. The maximum dry matter digestibili-
ties were two to two and one-half times
greater than the original poplar shavings and
were similar to moderate to poor-quality grass
hay. Lignin contents decreased with time and
there was some reduction in the cellulose
and hemicellulose contents during the
fermentations.

Water vapor pressure variations over potato
sap solutions

The use of a vapor compressor to recycle
the latent heat of evaporation, when removing
water from potato, requires identification of
certain characteristics of the solution. Of
interest is the behavior of the water vapor
pressure of the solution during solute concen-
tration and identification of that point at
which precipitation becomes a problem for
heat-exchanger surfaces. In an environment
where such variables as surface area, diffu-
sivity, sink vapor pressure, and temperature
can be controlled, then the variation of the
rate of change of solvent mass flow is propor-
tional to the vapor pressure of the solvent. A
sample of potato sap was placed in a container
floating on a saturated salt solution in a
vacuum chamber and the pressure was re-
duced to 3 cm Hg. After a time limit, the
pressure is increased, the sample is removed
and weighed, and the process is repeated until
the change in weight from the previous
sample is small. Curves of the moisture
content versus time are plotted and the
moisture ratio is plotted against the pressure
ratio. For a given moisture content, an
appropriate vapor pressure can be found and
the energy required to recycle the latent heat
can be estimated. The main restriction with
these data at this time is the temperature,
because the process has been done only for
one, and extrapolation to any other tempera-
ture could be inaccurate. The second limiting
condition is the difficulty in determining the
exact point at which precipitation occurs if
precipitation is to be avoided. There is a
chance that it can be occurring much earlier
in the drying process than originally expected
and may not be practically avoidable in a
system processing liquid fractions.

Vacuum chamber design for measuring
continuous water vapor flow

A special vacuum chamber was designed
that allows continuous measurement of water
being removed from a sap solution extracted
from a biological material source. The vac-
uum is required for high rates of moisture
removal but generally creates a problem for
measuring changes occurring within that
vacuum. The chamber maintains a constant
temperature and keeps a constant vapor
pressure sink in which to condense the water
vapor.

All these characteristics are obtained by
using a saturated salt solution in the chamber
and floating a thin-walled container filled with
sap solution on the salt solution. This main-
tains a constant temperature (differential)
between source and sink while providing a
constant vapor pressure sink.

As the water vapor transfers from the sap
solution to the sink, the level in the sink raises
and the weight in the solution container drops.
The upward bouyancy force increases with
the increased displacement and, when the
container is held in place by a compression
load cell, the bouyancy force is measured on
the load cell. As the load increases on the load
cell, its displacement increases and, by desig-
ning a linkage that in effect cancels the rise in
the salt solution level with the corresponding
displacement in the load cell, then the output
of the load cell is linear and is a direct reading
of the weight of water evaporate in millivolts.
For a given load cell (maximum characteristic
load and deflection), there is an area ratio
between sap container surface and saturated
salt solution surface such that a calculated
linkage (unique to this ratio, load, and
deflection) allows the load cell to give a linear
response independent of the density of the
saturated salt solution.

An instrument was built and calibrated and
found to be particularly sensitive. Its sensitiv-
ity to atmospheric temperature and pressure
changes is creating some operating problems.

POTATO BREEDING

Comparison of expected response to
selection between traits

Expected response to selection (R) can be
estimated from data of progeny test experi-
ments. It is used for comparing the efficiency

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

of different selection schemes for a quantita-
tive trait. A method of establishing confidence
intervals for R is proposed by Tai (Theor.
Appl. Genet. 54:273-275; 1979). The R
values, however, cannot be used for compar-
ing selection progress between traits because
they are measured in different physical units.
One way to remedy this situation is to express
the genetic advance due to selection in terms
of the population mean. This provides the
relative expected response to selection (Rv). A
confidence interval for Rv can be derived
using an approach similar to the one reported
by Tai (1979).

Data on six quantitative traits were col-
lected from a 3 yr progeny test experiment
involving 465 seedlings of 25 crosses. Rv
values were estimated for one up to several
years' theoretical testing period. Marketable
yield, followed by maturity, shows larger
expected response to selection than tuber
appearance, tuber number, mean tuber
weight, and specific gravity. Genetic gains are
increased with more years of testing. The
additional gains over those of a single-year
testing, however, are not substantial. Market-
able yield, for example, gives only an addi-
tional 10% gain for a 4 yr testing period over
the 37% gain obtained from a single-year
testing. Evaluation and screening of breeding
materials at the early stage of a potato
breeding program may be most economically
carried out by a single-year field test.

Utilization of Andigena germ plasm in
potato breeding

A 1979 field trial compared 14 crosses
between Tuberosum and long-day adapted
Andigena (TA) with eight Tuberosum x
Tuberosum (TT) crosses and most of the
Tuberosum (T) and Andigena (A) parents.
The results reemphasized the heterosis ob-
tained in TA crosses and suggested a breeding
strategy to make best use of Andigena par-
ents. Each cross was represented by 30
randomly selected clones, the parents were
replicated three times, and all plots contained
eight hills. The T parent values used for
comparisons include data from T parents of
both TT and TA crosses.

Compared with the mean of the T parents,
the TT progeny had considerably less early
vigor, more midseason vigor, and considerably
later maturity; they had 4% more tubers and
6% smaller tubers for a 5% reduction in total
yield and a 14% reduction in marketable

yield. This yield reduction is typical of the
inbreeding depression in conventional TT
crosses.

The TA progeny had moderately less vigor,
moderately more midseason vigor, and consid-
erably later maturity than the T parents. The
tuber number was 60% greater and the tuber
size 28% smaller than in the T parents.
Heterosis for total yield showed in the 11%
increase over the high (T) parents, though
marketable yield was reduced by 23%.

The breeding value of the TA crosses is
seen in their superiority over the TT crosses.
The TA crosses were considerably more
vigorous at emergence, slightly more vigorous
at midseason, and slightly later at maturity.
The TA tuber numbers were 53% greater, and
the size 23% smaller than in the TT progeny.
Total yields were 17% greater while market-
able yields were only 10% smaller. The best
TA cross had a mean marketable yield (6.63
kg) greater than that of its own T parent
(6.26 kg) and the mean of all T parents (6.33
kg). The performance of the TA crosses in
relation to their parents and TT crosses, as
evaluated in two-dimensional canonical dia-
grams, suggests that back-crossing selected
TA clones to Tuberosum will bring further
improvements.

Incorporation of potato germ plasm from
South American cultivated diploids

Three cycles have been completed of a
recurrent mass selection procedure to utilize
germ plasm from South American diploids in
the production of potato cultivars adapted to
Canadian conditions. Selection criteria in-
clude tuberization under long days, storability
(including dormancy), and other horticultural
traits. A parallel population of diploid
Tuberosum (haploid Tuberosum x haploid
Tuberosum) is being developed. Advanced
diploid hybrids (Phureja or Stenotomum x
diploid Tuberosum) have been crossed with
Tuberosum cultivars and breeding stocks.
Several hybrids from these 4x-2x crosses
continued to lead the major cultivars in
Canada in terms of marketable yield.

Breeding and evaluating potato varieties for
Ontario

Potato seedling G6457-5R, bred at the
University of Guelph by G. R. Johnston
(seconded to the university by Agriculture
Canada's Fredericton, N.B., Research Sta-
tion), was granted a permanent license in

RESEARCH STATION, FREDERICTON, N.B.

Canada as the potato variety Rideau. It is a
main-crop potato variety with bright red skin
and very white flesh, and with high quality as
table stock. It has high resistance to verticil-
lium wilt races and moderate resistance to
mosaic-type viruses.

Two advanced, promising Guelph-bred
"candidate" potato varieties, G6666-4y and
G6880-1, were multiplied as Pre-elite and
Elite 1 seed in 1979. G6666-4y will be
recommended for licensing in 1980. It is
yellow fleshed, early in maturity, with pink
eyes and yellowish skin. It is a good table-
stock variety that also has very good French
fry processing ability. G6880-1 is an early-
maturing, round, white-skinned potato with
very good table-stock quality and excellent
chipping ability.

F69016 — a promising French fry seedling

Fredericton seedling F69016 continued
outstanding in yield and grower trials in New
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island during
1979, and as a result, steps will be taken to
license and introduce it for commercial pro-
duction.

F69016 led a trial of 12 French fry type
varieties with a marketable yield of 33.5 t/ha,
15.5% of yield > 284 g tubers, and a specific
gravity of 1.080, as compared to 23.5 t/ha,
3.2% > 284 g tubers, and a specific gravity of
1 .080 for Netted Gem. In a whole versus cut
seed and spacing trial (30 cm, 36 cm, 41 cm),
marketable yield was not affected by treat-
ment. However, the number of small tubers
was reduced and the number of tubers > 284
g increased when using cut seed spaced at 36
and 41 cm. Marketable yield and size distri-
bution were not affected as N, P, and K (1-
1-1) were increased from 109 to 134 to 168
kg/ha, although specific gravity was reduced
from 1.086 to 1.085 to 1.082, respectively.

Commercial-scale processing trials in both
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
produced French fries of excellent quality.

POTATO PATHOLOGY

Purification and serology of potato viruses
A and Y

Potato viruses A and Y were purified from
Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. and Nico-
tiana tabacum 'Samsun\ respectively. Virus
yields of 1 .8-2.2 mg/ 1 00 g of leaf tissue were
routinely obtained. The purified virus was
injected intramuscularly into rabbits, which

were bled 2 wk after the last injection.
In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) tests with crude extracts, a concen-
tration of 1-5 /Ag/mL of y-globulin and a
dilution of 1 :200 of enzyme conjugate proved
to be optimum. Testing of different plant
parts indicated that both viruses were more
readily detected from fully expanded leaves
than in the top young leaves of the potato
plant. When PVA and PVY antisera were
tested against PVA- and PVY-infected leaves,
strong homologous reactions were obtained.

Samples of leaves from plants showing
mosaic symptoms in the field were tested by
ELISA and by infecting indicator plants.
One-third were diagnosed as infected by PVA
alone and two-thirds were infected with PVY
alone. There was good correlation between
ELISA readings and those obtained with
indicator plants. Six potato seed fields were
surveyed throughout the summer of 1979 and
600 samples were tested each week by
ELISA. The results pointed out the possibility
of monitoring potato fields for incidence of
PVA and PVY using ELISA technique.

Virazole as aphid sterilant

Virazole, a synthetic nucleoside analogue
( 1 -B-D-ribofuranosyl- 1 ,2,4-triazole-3-carbox-
amide) suppressed the production of aphid
nymphs when systemically applied to plants.
The nymphs were killed either inside the
abdomen of the mother aphid or after birth.
The treated adults were unable to reproduce.
In addition, the aphids grown on virazole-
treated plants failed to acquire and transmit
potato leaf roll virus. Although virazole is
reported as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent,
it also affects aphid reproduction, which could
be beneficial for aphid control.

Hawkbit mosaic

Fall hawkbit, Leontodon autumnalis L., a
common perennial weed in the Atlantic
provinces, was surveyed for viruslike symp-
toms. Some of the plants were found with
chlorotic mosaic symptoms on the leaves.
Because symptoms resembled those caused by
tobacco rattle virus in other plants related to
hawkbit, and tobacco rattle virus is not known
to occur in Canada, an attempt was made to
identify the virus causing chlorotic mosaic in
hawkbit. A short rigid rod-shaped virus, with
particle sizes of 150 and 170 nm, was found
associated with diseased plants. Antisera to
five isolates of tobacco rattle virus and related

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

pea early browning virus failed to react with
hawkbit virus-infected tobacco sap in sodium
dodecyl sulfate-agar diffusion tests. However,
a specific reaction was observed with an
antiserum prepared against Hypochoeris mo-
saic, a newly described virus from Western
Canada.

Comparison of three methods for the
detection of Corynebacterium sepedonicum

Seed potato inspectors are well trained in
identifying field or tuber symptoms of bacte-
rial ring rot and the Gram stain has worked
well in confirmation of the visible symptoms
of single samples. However, in 1979, a pro-
gram was initiated to eradicate ring rot from
table and processing potato fields in New
Brunswick. Many of those inspecting the
nonseed potato fields were not familiar with
the symptoms; as a result, samples were
received of plants with symptoms varying
from slight chlorosis through severe wilting to
leaf yellowing and necrosis, representing
different abnormalities ranging from environ-
mental wilting and late blight to bacterial
ring rot. We compared the Gram stain, latex
agglutination (LAT), and immunofluores-
cence (IMF) tests on material from both
individual (163) and bulked (85) samples.

LAT was more sensitive than Gram stain
on individual stems (41) from a single field,
giving 25% more positive reactions. Subse-
quent testing on the stems and on tubers from
the same plants confirmed the presence of C.
sepedonicum. On individual tubers we ob-
served a complete correspondence between
LAT and Gram stain observations. The IMF
on these tubers tended to confirm the positives
observed with LAT and Gram, but another
15% of the samples were rated as inconclusive
IMF and negative LAT and Gram.

The stem ends of up to 500 tubers were
treated together as individual bulked samples.
The known controls (9) were from tubers
derived from disease-indexed stem cuttings
without (negative) or with (positive) one stem
end from a tuber infected with C. sepedoni-
cum. All the controls were accurately diag-
nosed with LAT. In addition, one unknown
sample was diagnosed positive, and later
verified with the discovery of tubers with
visible symptoms. One positive control was
verified with the Gram stain, but the dilution
effect was too great to read accurately with
these bulked samples. The IMF observations
were inconclusive with all bulked samples.

Under our conditions, the LAT is more
sensitive and accurate in confirming known
positive infections and in diagnosing un-
knowns. The Gram stain is adequate on single
samples to confirm visual diagnoses. The IMF
is not reliable. Problems encountered included
autofluorescence of potato tissue and numer-
ous fluorescing bacteria of differing sizes and
shapes, including some approaching that of C.
sepedonicum.

Simplified procedure for PVS antiserum
production

A simplified procedure has been developed
for the preparation of potato virus S as an
antigen. Sap from potato leaves, combined
with buffer, containing chelating and reduc-
ing agents was first cleared of crude material
and then centrifuged at high speed over a
layer of 60% sucrose. The pellet was redis-
solved in phosphate-buffered saline, spun once
at low speed, and the supernatant checked for
anisotropy of flow before being used as
antigen. Intramuscular injection of rabbits,
using Freund's incomplete adjuvant, has
produced PVS antiserum with tube precipitin
titers of 1/32 000, and quality suitable for the
latex agglutination test.

Natural spread of potato viruses S and Y

In 1978 and 1979, spread of PVS and PVY
into previously healthy plots of the cultivar
Netted Gem was monitored at intervals by
subinoculation of leaf samples to Nicotiana
debneyi. The two viruses were first detected,
though not necessarily on the same plants, in
plots nearest to sources of infection on 28 July
in 1978 and 16 August in 1979. Probably
because of the early start, spread of both
viruses was considerably more intense and
prolonged in 1978. Further, initial detection
in the respective years followed by approx-
imately 3 wk the initial trapping of Myzus
persicae, suspected as a principal natural
vector of each virus. In plots 30 m from
sources, infections were detected later and less
frequently; and at 400 m, occasionally in
1978, but not at all in 1979.

Zoospore encystment in Phytophthora
infestans

The results of biochemical and ultrastruc-
tural studies of the encystment process in P.
infestans, the organism causing late blight in
potatoes, suggest that the events underlying
cell wall formation following cessation of the

RESEARCH STATION, FREDERICTON, N.B.

motile phase differ in a number of important
respects from the conventional interpretation.
Accordingly, a model is proposed to account
for the form and structure of the encysted
zoospore. Ostensibly, during or even before
retraction oï^ the flagella at the termination of
motility, vesicular elements become attached
to the inner surface of the zoospore membrane
where they subsequently fuse with the mem-
brane and deposit their contents on the outer
surface to form an amorphous layer over the
entire membrane surface. This layer acts as a
base for the laying down of a fibrillar network
of polysaccharide that provides some rigidity
to the zoospore. The reticulate structure
composed of many irregular ridges of varying
thickness is clearly evident in scanning elec-
tron microscopic analysis.

It is also clear from such scans that the
encysted zoospores become anchored in Lilli-
putian fashion by a number of threadlike
fibers to whatever surface they are resting on.
In no case were these filaments observed to
originate from the germ tube itself in the
more mature zoospores, but in all instances
they were attached to the main body of the
zoospore. It remains to be determined
whether or not these attachment fibers can
play a role in providing for adhesion of the
zoospore to the leaf or tuber surface, thereby
allowing for penetration by an infection peg
without the intervention of an appressorium.

Late blight forecasting

A model previously developed to forecast
the probable date of potato late blight out-
breaks was tested using current hourly
weather data on humidity and temperature
from Environment Canada offices in Char-
lottetown and Summerside, P.E.L; Green-
wood, N.S.; and Fredericton and Woodstock,
N.B. The model was also used to interpret
data from hygrothermographs located in the
potato fields of four cooperating potato grow-
ers near Grand Falls, N.B. A further test was
made using humidity and temperature data
from previous years that were not used in the
development of the model. The results of all
tests showed that the model could be success-
fully used to forecast the date of disease
outbreak.

POTATO ENTOMOLOGY

Oil sprays against mosaic of potatoes

A procedure was developed, using thin
layer chromatography, for the measurement
of oils on potato foliage surface as well as that
which infiltrated the foliage. In a field trial,
eight mineral oils applied as 1% emulsions
were compared. Concentrations fell to pre-
treatment level after 5-7 days, indicating that
for crop protection sprays may have to be
applied at 5 day intervals. None of the oils in
this trial had any significant effect on the
growth of the plant or its yield.

Control of the Colorado potato beetle

A cooperative research program with the
New Brunswick Research and Productivity
Council was started to study the feasibility of
using pheromones for the control of Colorado
potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata.
Suitable rearing techniques were developed.
Laboratory tests confirmed the existence of a
specific sex pheromone, and its chemical
composition is being analyzed. Male beetles
without functional palpi were found to be as
incapable of recognizing female beetles as
male beetles without functional antennae.
Further studies on the reproductive biology of
the potato beetle have shown that the mating
periodicity is strongly affected by the onset of
the photoperiod but seems unaffected by the
intensity of the light during the photoperiod.

During the course of rearing Colorado
potato beetles, we obtained a color morph,
which differs from the normal brown morph
in being predominantly white. It is similar to
L. pallida, a mutant strain reported once in
the USA by Tower in 1906. This is the first
record for this morph in Canada.

Aphid warning systems — density maps

Aphid density maps portraying the poten-
tial probability of potato leaf roll virus
infection in an area have proven useful in
New Brunswick as a warning service to seed
and processing growers. The maps, issued to
growers weekly, after the first catches of
green peach aphids, present pictorially the
Saint John River valley in Carleton and
Victoria counties, the major potato-producing
areas. Dark areas on the map are where the
potential for PLRV spread is greatest and the
hazard is high. After studying the maps,
potato growers are better able to judge if their

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

fields are in a zone of high hazard and if top
killing is necessary.

POTATO PHYSIOLOGY AND CROP
MANAGEMENT

Growth analysis of Netted Gem and
F69016

The potato clone F69016 shows promise as
a high-yielding cultivar with processing char-
acteristics comparable to the present stan-
dard, Netted Gem. Consequently, a compara-
tive growth analysis was carried out during
the summer and fall of 1979.

The capacity of F69016 to partition biolog-
ical energy into tubers was greater than
Netted Gem, when expressed in terms of
harvest index (i.e. ratio of tuber dry matter to
total plant dry matter). The major limiting
factors of economic yield in both cultivars
were tuber growth rate and length of growing
season, not the number of tubers initiated.
Netted Gem and F69016 had similar levels of
tuber dry matter after 100 days. The variation
or" dry matter content in different-sized tubers
was similar also. F69016 was less susceptible
to "second growth" (i.e. knobby tubers),
hollow heart, and external splitting than
Netted Gem. And unlike Netted Gem, the
majority of F69016 plants after 115 days
continued to possess an intact seed piece that
may have served as a water-nutrient reservoir
against short-term environmental fluctua-
tions. Thicker stems in F69016 may have had
a similar effect.

Ultrastructure of potato tuber microbodies

As an adjunct to studies aimed at screening
potato cultivars for their capacity to photore-
spire, an attempt was made to follow mi-
crobody development in potato tubers. Elec-
tron micrographs of tuber sections obtained
from small asceptically cultured tubers and
from mature field-grown tubers, Solarium
tuberosum L. 'Green Mountain', revealed
that the microbodies were similar to those
found in other plants and bore little resembl-
ance to the multifunctional plastids observed
by others in tuber bud tissue. The major
discernible difference between the mi-
crobodies from the two types of tubers was in
their size: the diameter of microbodies in the
cultured tubers averaged 320 nm whereas
those in the field-grown tubers had a mean
diameter of 800 nm. Microbodies from both

sources were bounded by a single unit mem-
brane that contained a solitary crystalline
inclusion. They also possessed a matrix that
was moderately electron-dense and finely
granular.

In cultured tubers the smaller the mi-
crobody, the larger the proportion of its
volume that was occupied by a crystalline
inclusion and the less evident was the matrix.
The rhomboidal shape of the inclusions ap-
peared to develop only after the matrix
outgrew the inclusion during the ontogeny of
the microbodies. In no instance was there any
evidence of microbodies directly connected to
the endoplasmic reticulum.

Evaluation of potato planters

A 3 yr evaluation of the seed piece distri-
bution patterns achieved by three types of
potato planters was completed. The planters
were divided into three groups — pick, cup,
and tuber unit. The pick type is the predomi-
nant planter being used in North America.
However, cup and tuber unit planters are
becoming more popular in some areas.

Seed piece placement was measured for 1 3
planters over a total of 300 trials. The study
included five cup-type, three pick-type, and
five tuber-unit machines. Coefficients of varia-
tion of spacing, number of seed piece skips,
and number of seed piece doubles were
determined for each planter. Results from the
study indicate that the percentage of skips
ranged from 0 to 24.6%, with an average of
6.5%. In general, there was a higher number
of doubles than skips with all planters. The
average number of doubles for the study was
16.2%. The coefficient of variation of spacing
ranged from 47.8 to 87.1% for the three types
of planters. The cup planter performed best
when planting either whole seed or large cut
seed. More doubles were found when planting
small cut seed. In general, seed pieces were
found to be more evenly spaced with the tuber
unit planter.

Effect of amendments on physical properties
of compact basal till and alfalfa yield

Field experiments have indicated that
amendments (sawdust, lime, and manure)
when incorporated in the subsoil increased
alfalfa yield about four times as compared to
the control. However, the use of 3,5-diiodo-
4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DIHB) in the topsoil
gave only a 46% higher yield than the control.
Mean dry matter yield (grams per plot) were

RESEARCH STATION, FREDERICTON. N.B.

control 24.1; DIHB 35.1; loosened subsoil
53.6; loosened subsoil plus sawdust 120.4;
loosened subsoil plus lime 120.1; loosened
subsoil plus manure 132.4. Measurements of
oxygen diffusion rates (ODR), saturated
hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and soil water
matric potential (l//m) in the greenhouse
experiments indicated that the use of sawdust
may cause excessive drainage and moisture
stress.

Time of application of fertilizer nitrogen
for potatoes

In an attempt to improve the efficiency of
utilization of fertilizer nitrogen by the potato
crop, ammonium nitrate was applied as a side
dressing during the early to posttuberization
period 24 June to 7 August at four times, at
rates varying from 22 to 88 kg/ha. Yields of
the cultivar Kennebec were not increased by
supplementary nitrogen in any of the 3 yr of
the experiment, provided adequate nitrogen
was applied at time of planting. The latter
requirement ranged from 135 to 160 kg/ha
and produced a mean yield of 28.8 t/ha.
When insufficient nitrogen (90 kg/ha) was
applied at planting time, the yield was 23.9
t/ha and a significant increase resulted from
nitrogen side dressings. Supplementary nitro-
gen increased the nitrogen content of the
plant in all situations. The results confirm
that the application of adequate nitrogen at
planting is a sound management practice.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Diquat residues in potato tubers

A previously developed gas chromato-
graphic method for the analysis of diquat
(top-killer) in potato tubers was utilized to
determine residue levels in a total of 36
duplicate treated and untreated samples in
1978. The results (residues ranging from 0.01
to 0.08 ppm for treatments of from 0.5 to 2.25
kg/ha with diquat) were consistent with and

verified trends established in the two preced-
ing years of study. The simultaneous addition
of chemical aging adjuvants did not notice-
ably affect residue uptake.

Acylalanine fungicides

A gas chromatographic method was devel-
oped for the determination of a new class of
acylalanine systemic fungicides in potato
tubers. The fungicides Ridomil at 0.3 and
0.25 kg/ha, CHEV 26745 at 0.14 kg/ha, and
CHEV 20615 at 0.14 kg/ha gave good results
against late blight. At these levels no residues
greater than 0.01 ppm were detectable in the
tubers.

Potato glycoalkaloid analysis

A gas chromatographic method was devel-
oped for the analysis of potato glycoalkaloids
by direct determination of the alkaloid com-
ponents isolated by hydrolysis with HC1-
ethanol. Recoveries of solanidine from potato
tubers and foliage fortified with solanine over
a range equivalent to one-half to five times the
glycoalkaloid originally present averaged
greater than 95%, and the lower limit of
sensitivity was 0.25 mg/100 g using a nitro-
gen-phosphorus specific detector. A means of
distinguishing between demissidine and solan-
idine by formation of their respective 3-tri-
fluoroacetates with trifluoroacetic anhydride
was also developed.

Thiabendazole residues on potato tubers

Thiabendazole is a fungicide that has been
shown to control the major potato fungal
storage diseases. An amount of 3 ppm is
considered adequate for this control. In 1979,
34 duplicate samples from nine different
farmers were analyzed for surface residues of
thiabendazole. The residue quantities ranged
from 0.52 to 8.93 ppm for unwashed tubers.
Although methods of application and rates
undoubtedly vary from place to place, odd-
shaped varieties like Netted Gem appear to
obtain comparatively less efficient coverage
from the thiabendazole spray.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Boiteau, G.; Bradley, J. R., Jr.; Van Duyn, J. W.
1979. Bean leaf beetle: flight and dispersal
behavior. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 72:298-302.

Boiteau, G.; Bradley, J. R., Jr.; Van Duyn, J. W.
1979. Bean leaf beetle: emergence patterns of
adults from overwintering sites. Environ. Ento-
mol. 8:427-431.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Boiteau, G.; Bradley, J. R., Jr.; Van Duyn, J. W.
1979. Bean leaf beetle: diurnal population
fluctuations. Environ. Entomol. 8:615-618.

Boiteau, G.; Bradley, J. R., Jr.; Van Duyn, J. W.
1979. Bean leaf beetle: some seasonal anatomi-
cal changes and dormancy. Ann. Entomol. Soc.
Am. 72:303-307.

Johnston, G. R.; Rowberry, R. G. 1979. Trent: a
mid-season, high quality table and processing
potato variety. Am. Potato J. 56:21 1-216.

King, R. R. 1979. Acetoxyl group migration in
2-acetoxy-4-methylthio-3,5-xylenol. A novel
catechol to phenol transformation. J. Org.
Chem. 44:4194-4196.

MacGillivray, M. E. 1979. Aphids infesting pota-
toes in Canada: life cycle and field key. Agric.
Can. Publ. 1678.

MacGillivray, M. E. 1979. Aphids infesting pota-
toes in Canada: a field guide. Agric. Can. Publ.
1676.

McQueen, R. E.; Nicholson, J. W. G. 1979.
Modification of the neutral-detergent fiber
procedure for cereals and vegetables by using
«-amylase. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 62:676-
680.

Misener, G. C. 1979. Relative performance of cup
and pick type potato planters. Can. Agric. Eng.
21(2).

Ragab, M. T. H.; Everett, C. F.; Chaisson, C. A.
1979. Resistance and movement of
chlorbromuron in potato soil. J. Environ. Sci.
Health, Part B. Pestic, Food Contam. Agric.
Wastes, B,14(2):181-195.

Saini, G. R. 1979. Root elongation and plant
growth in a basal till compact soil treated with
3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and gibberel-
lic acid. Agron. J. 71 (6).

Singh, R. P. 1979. Potato spindle tuber viroid. JIPA
6:20-35.

Singh, R. P.; Drew, M. E.; Smith, E. M.; Bagnall,
R. H. 1979. Potato virus A lesions on Physalis
species. Am. Potato J. 56:367-37 1 .

Tai, G. C. C. 1979. Analysis of genotype-environ-
ment interactions of potato yield. Crop Sci.
19:434-438.

Tai, G. C. C. 1979. An interval estimation of
expected response to selection. Theor. Appl.
Genet. 54:273-275.

Wood, G. W. 1979. Recuperation of native bee
populations in blueberry fields exposed to drift
of fenitrothion from forest spray operations in
New Brunswick. J. Econ. Entomol. 72(1 ):36-
39.

Wood, G. W.; McRae, K. B.; Estabrooks, E. N.
1979. A reassessment of blueberry production
in New Brunswick. Can. J. Agric. Econ.
27(3):85-91.

Yoo, B. Y.; Lawrence, C. H.; Clark, M. C. 1979.
Ultrastructure of potato tuber microbodies.
Ann. Bot. 44:373-375.

Young, D. A.; Davies, H. T.; Johnston, G. R. 1979.
Jemseg, a new, early, high-yielding potato
variety with high resistance to virus Y and
immune to virus X. Am. Potato J. 56:325-328.

Miscellaneous

Burgess, P. L. 1979. Anim. Prod. Pointers. #223
Bird damage to the corn crop. #233 Progress
in corn hybrid evaluation. #236 Beta carotene
and fertility of dairy cows.

Burgess, P. L.; Nicholson, J. W. G. 1979. Effect of
suboptimal nitrogen levels in total mixed ra-
tions for dairy cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59(4)
(Abstract).

Burgess, P. L.; Nicholson, J. W. G; Grant, E. A.
1979. High density seeding of corn for silage.
Forage Notes 24(1 ):33-35.

Bush, R. S. 1979. Anim. Prod. Pointers. #219
Dairy calf housing. #220 Feeding colostrum to
the newborn calf. #228 Calf loss studies in
North America. #230 Calf hutch housing.
#232 Milk for calves. #238 Weaning your
dairy calves.

Bush, R. S.; McQueen, R. E.; Nicholson, J. W. G.
1979. Metabolism of colostrum during fermen-
tation or chemical preservation. J. Dairy Sci.
62suppl. 1:228 (Abstract).

Bush, R. S.; Nicholson, J. W. G. 1979. Effects of
ammonium perchlorate on growth in rumi-
nants. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59(4) (Abstract).

Chow, T. L.; Delaney, B. B.; Cahill, M. J. 1979.
Influence of soil hydrologie behavior upon
vegetation on a forested moraine. Agron.
Abstr., 1979 Annu. Meet., Fort Collins, Colo,
pp. 189 (Abstract).

Collins, W. B. 1979. The potato industry of the
Upper Saint John River Valley — Potato Re-
search. Invitational paper presented at the
AIC Annu. Meet., Fredericton, N.B. 12 pp.

Delaney, B. B.; Chow, T. L.; Cahill, M. J. 1979. Air
and soil temperature of a forest moraine in
Eastern Newfoundland. Titles and abstracts of
the 25th Annu. Meet. Can. Soc. Soil Sci.,
Fredericton, N.B. pp. 15 (Abstract).

Hodgson, W. A. 1979. Forecasting late blight
infections. Proc. Can. Pest Management Soc.
1979 (Abstract).

RESEARCH STATION. FREDERICTON, N.B.

Ketchcson, J. W.; Martel, Y. A.; MacLean, A. A.
1979. Eastern Canadian soils — trends in pro-
ductivity. Agrologist 8:16-17.

MacGillivray, M. E. 1979. The potato industry of
the Upper Saint John River Valley Potato
Research — Pest Management. Invitational
paper presented at the AIC Annu. Meet.,
Fredericton, N.B. 1 1 pp.

MacGillivray, M. E. 1979. Making use of monitor-
ing to minimize the use of pesticides — tech-
niques in monitoring potato aphids. Invita-
tional paper presented at the AIC Annu.
Meet., Fredericton, N.B. 5 pp.

McQueen, R. E. 1979. Malevolent fungi. Canadex
630.

McQueen, R. E. 1979. Selenium deficiency in the
Maritimes. Canadex 400.65.

McQueen, R. E. 1979. Dangerous fungi. News and
Features No. 1820:7-8.

McQueen, R. E. 1979. Anim. Prod. Pointers. #234
Heat damaged protein in forages. #226 Cut
early for good quality forage.

McQueen, R. E.; Reade, A. E. 1979. Changes in
composition and digestibility of poplar by
fungal fermentation. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59(4)
(Abstract).

McQueen, R. E.; Seoane, J. R.; Nicholson, J. W.
G.; McRae, K. B. 1979. Effect of urea phos-
phate, urea-form or urea on rumen and blood
ammonia. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59(4) (Abstract).

Misener, G. C. 1979. Evaluation of cup and pick
type potato planters. Can. Soc. Agric. Eng.
Pap. No. ATL 79-9.

Misener, G. C. 1979. Developments in potato
machinery — planting and mechanical top kill-
ing. Proc. Ont. Hortic. Conf. Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food. pp. 95-97.

Nicholson, J. W. G. 1979. Anim. Prod. Pointers.
#216 Need for more beef production in the
Maritimes. #217 Response of steers to a
second Ralgro implant. #218 Red clover is a

valuable silage crop. #221 Care of the new-
born lamb. #224 Plan now for next year's beef
calf crop. #225 Eleventh Annual Maritime
Cattlemen's Field Day. #227 Watch cattle and
sheep on pasture for worms. #229 Canadian
Society of Animal Science to meet in Frederic-
ton. #231 Supplementary feeding of pastured
cattle. #235 Mineral content of New Bruns-
wick forages.

Nicholson, J. W. G. 1979. Effects of low tempera-
ture on digestibility. Canadex 400.54.

Nicholson, J. W. G.; McQueen, R. E. 1979. Paunch
residue silage. Canadex 400.60.

Nicholson, J. W. G.; McQueen, R. E. 1979.
Feeding value of ensiled mixtures containing
rumen residue. J. Anim. Sci. 49, Suppl. 1:138
(Abstract).

Nicholson, J. W. G.; McQueen, R. E.; Burgess, P.
L. 1979. Effect of cold on digestiblity of
chopped or pelleted hay by sheep. Can. J.
Anim. Sci. 59(4) (Abstract).

Reade, A. E.; McQueen, R. E. 1979. Conversion of
poplar into ruminant feed by fungal fermenta-
tion. Presented to 27th (1979) Meet. Can. Soc.
Microbiol., Univ. of Victoria.

Singh, R. P. 1979. New developments in potato
virus research. Proc. 7th Annu. Meet. Prairie
Potato Counc. pp. 93-96.

Tai, G. C. C. 1979. Confidence intervals for genetic
parameters in progeny test experiments. Can.
J. Genet. Cytol. 21:583 (Abstract).

Tai, G. C. C; Tarn, T. R. 1979. Correlated
responses to selection in the first clonal genera-
tion of tuberosum-andigena hybrid potatoes.
Am. Potato J. 56:482 (Abstract).

Wood, G. W. 1979. Blueberry maggot control.
Canadex 235.621.

Wood, G. W. 1979. Bees make a fast comeback.
New Sci. 82(1 157):730 (Abstract).

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Station de recherches
Lennoxville, Québec

CADRES PROFESSIONNELS

Administration

P. Flipot, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. Rouleau

Directeur intérimaire
Agent d'administration

Zootechnie

J. Dufour, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A. -M. B. de Passillé, B.Sc, M.Sc.
R. Bouchard, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
M. H. Fahmy, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
P. Flipot, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

L. Guilbault, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.E.A. (Nut.)

B. Lachance, B.S.A., M.Sc.

G. Lalande, B.A., B.S.A.

G. Pelletier, B.S.A., M.Sc.

D. Petitclerc, B.Sc(Physio.), B.Sc(Agr.), M.Sc

S. Pommier, B.Sc, M.Sc.

G. Roy, B.S.A. , M.Sc, PhD.

Chef de la section; physiologie de

la reproduction
Nutrition, porc
Nutrition, bovins laitiers
Génétique, porcs et moutons
Nutrition, bovins laitiers et bovins

de boucherie

Physiologie de la reproduction
Nutrition, bovins laitiers
Régie, bovins de boucherie
Nutrition, fourrages
Physiologie de la lactation
Spécialiste en viandes
Génétique, bovins laitiers et bovins

de boucherie

Production végétales

J.-L. Dionne, B.A., B.S.A., PhD.
G. Barnett, M.Sc.
W. Mason, B.S.A., M.Sc, PhD.
A. Pesant, B.S.A., M.Sc

Chef de la section; fertilité des sols
Régie, légumineuses et maïs
Régie, graminées
Physique des sols

STATION DE RECHERCHES, LENNOXVILLE, QUE.

Départ

C.S. Bernard, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Promu à Fredericton le 13 août 1979

Aux études

Directeur

L. Guilbault, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.E.A. (Nut.)

D. Petitclerc, B.Sc. (Physio.), B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

Physiologie de la reproduction
Physiologie de la lactation

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Les recherches effectuées à cette station sont appliquées aux problèmes agricoles de l'est
du Canada et particulièrement du Québec. Elles sont axées sur les productions animales,
notamment les bovins, les moutons et les porcs et sur les productions fourragères. La station est
le noyau de la recherche zootechnique au Québec et à cet effet, plusieurs chercheurs
collaborent avec des chercheurs d'autres centres de recherches. Ce rapport résume quelques
expériences terminées au cours des années 1978 et 1979.

Le personnel scientifique a augmenté pendant cette période. En effet, mademoiselle Anne-
Marie B. de Passillé et monsieur Serge Pommier se sont joints à l'équipe.

On peut obtenir de plus amples renseignements directement des chercheurs en écrivant à:
Station de recherches, Agriculture Canada, C.P. 90, Lennoxville (Québec) JIM 1Z3.

Paul Flipot
Directeur intérimaire

ZOOTECHNIE
Bovins laitiers

L'influence de la qualité du foin et du
niveau de protéines végétales sur le dévelop-
pement de la génisse laitière. On a utilisé 60
génisses croisées de type Holstein pendant 17
semaines afin d'étudier l'effet de servir deux
types de foin et d'incorporer dans les aliments
d'allaitement deux niveaux de protéines végé-
tales et deux types de lactosérum sur la
croissance des génisses. Les aliments d'allaite-
ment servis avaient un minimum de 23% de
protéine et de 11% de gras. On substituait
dans ces aliments 45 et 65% de la protéine du
lait par de la protéine végétale provenant d'un
concentré de soya. On y incorporait du
lactosérum séché selon le procédé de pulvéri-
sation ou cylindrique. Les génisses recevaient
une moulée dosant 20% de protéine. La
consommation était limitée à 2,25 kg/jour. Le
foin de mil et celui de mil et trèfle dosaient
respectivement 7,9 et 15,7% de protéine et
étaient servis à libre choix. Les génisses ont
été achetées à un encan public. Elles étaient
âgées de 2 à 4 jours environ et pesaient en
moyenne 41,2 kg.

Durant la période d'alimentation lactée, les
25 premières semaines, le gain quotidien
moyen, la consommation totale d'aliments
d'allaitement, de moulée, de foin, de matière
sèche et de protéine ont été de 0,37, 11,6,
14,1, 5,5, 28,6 et 6,1 kg respectivement. Les
génisses recevant du lactosérum séché par
pulvérisation ont consommé significativement
moins dé moulée (24,6%) que celles nourries
au lactosérum séché par procédé cylindrique.
Leur gain a été réduit aussi de 16,5%.

Au cours des 10 premières semaines, les
génisses alimentées au foin de mil et trèfle ont
consommé 55,5% plus de foin que celles
nourries au foin de mil. Cette différence est
significative à P < 0,01 mais leur gain
quotidien et leur consommation totale de
matière sèche et de protéine ont été supérieu-
res de 6,5, 7,5 et 14% respectivement mais ne
furent pas significatives. La substitution dans
les aliments d'allaitement de 45 et 65% de la
protéine du lait par la protéine végétale n'a
pas eu d'effet sur la croissance. Il y a
seulement l'effet observé à 5 semaines du
lactosérum qui se manifeste encore dans le
même sens. La réduction de croissance a été
de 9,3% et la consommation de moulée de
10,5%.

À la fin de la période expérimentale, le gain
quotidien moyen, la consommation totale de
moulée, de foin, de matière sèche et de
protéine ont été de 0,75, 194,4, 1 16,5, 286,5 et
49,5 kg respectivement. L'incorporation dans
les aliments d'allaitement de 45 et 65% de
protéine végétale et de lactosérum séché selon
le procédé de pulvérisation ou cylindrique n'a
pas affecté significativement la croissance des
génisses. L'alimentation du foin de mil et
trèfle au lieu du foin de mil avec 2,25 kg de
moulée quotidiennement a augmenté le gain
quotidien des génisses de 8,9%. La consom-
mation totale de foin, de matière sèche et de
protéine a été supérieure de 19,6, 5,5 et 20,5%
respectivement. Toutes ces différences ne
furent pas significatives à P < 0,05.

Veaux lourds au lait ou «veaux de grains».
La réduction du coût de l'alimentation dans la
production de veaux lourds produisant une

STATION DE RECHERCHES, LENNOXVILLE, QUE.

carcasse de 90 kg doit être une préoccupation
constante de la part du producteur qui désire
améliorer la rentabilité de cet élevage. Au
Québec, la production de veaux lourds est à
ses tous débuts et les critères, permettant de
choisir entre les aliments d'allaitement ou le
grain pour produire des veaux lourds, ne sont
pas suffisamment connus.

Avec 60 veaux mâles noir et blanc, de type
Holstein, achetés dans un encan public au
poids d'environ 45,5 kg, on a comparé quatre
régimes alimentaires. Il y avait deux groupes
exclusivement aux aliments d'allaitement et
deux groupes aux aliments d'allaitement
durant les cinq premières semaines complé-
mentés avec une moulée dosant 16% de
protéine brute et servis dès le début de
l'élevage. La durée de l'élevage, le gain
quotidien, la consommation totale d'aliments
tels que servis et l'efficacité alimentaire des
veaux nourris au lait ou au grain ont été
respectivement de 127 et 145 jours, 0,87 et
0,83 kg, 185 et 400 kg, 1,65 et 3,31. Ces
résultats ont confirmé ce que nous avions
observé antérieurement, à savoir, qu'il faut en
général 3 semaines de plus aux veaux de
grains pour produire le même poids de carcas-
se froide sans peau (90 kg) que les veaux de
lait.

Au niveau de certains paramètres de santé
comme pour la diarrhée, les troubles respira-
toires et le taux de mortalité, il n'y a pas eu de
différence significative entre les veaux de lait
ou de grains.

La qualité des carcasses, évaluées selon le
système de classification officielle d'Agricultu-
re Canada, a été légèrement influencée par le
type d'alimentation. Il y a eu 50 carcasses
d'évaluées dont aucune ne s'est classée A, 4B,
33C et 13D. Dans la catégorie C, 61% des
carcasses provenaient des veaux de lait.
Cependant, le système actuel de classification
est en voie de révision et le nouveau système
va probablement atténuer cette différence.

Le coût partiel de production, comprenant
l'alimentation et les médicaments, a été pour
les veaux de lait de $210 et $19 tandis que le
coût pour les veaux de grains a été de $83 et
$17.

Quand récolter le maïs fourrager? Pour 2
années consécutives, on a récolté du maïs
fourrager à cinq différentes dates entre le
début de septembre et la fin d'octobre. L'ensi-
lage de ces maïs a été servi à des vaches
laitières dans le but de déterminer l'effet du
gel avant la récolte sur la digestibilité de 10

nutriments. Les résultats ont démontré que la
digestibilité de la matière sèche et de l'énergie
atteignait un maximum avant la première
gelée mortelle. Les gelées subséquentes ont
accentué la diminution de la digestibilité. La
consommation volontaire a aussi été influen-
cée par la date de la récolte. La consomma-
tion volontaire de matière sèche digestible est
maximale avant la première gelée ou tôt après
la deuxième gelée. La production laitière, la
plus élevée, a été observée lorsque l'ensilage
avait été récolté après la deuxième gelée soit
de 23,8 kg comparativement à 12,9 kg par
vache par jour lorsque l'ensilage était récolté
après cinq gelées à la fin d'octobre. À la suite
de ces résultats, il est permis de conclure qu'il
serait recommandable de récolter le maïs
fourrager au plus tard après la deuxième
gelée mortelle soit au niveau de 30 à 34% de
matière sèche. Le gel influence la composition
et la valeur alimentaire de l'ensilage de maïs.
Les tables de composition généralement utili-
sées surestiment la valeur énergétique des
ensilages récoltés après la gelée mortelle et,
par conséquent, ne devraient pas être utilisées
pour des ensilages récoltés au Québec. Une
équation multiple a été construite. Celle-ci
explique 96% de la variation de l'énergie nette
pour le lait. Les composantes de l'ensilage
nécessaires pour cette formule sont le pour-
centage de calcium, de magnésium, de potas-
sium et de lignine insoluble dans les déter-
gents acides.

Bovins de boucherie

Influence du vêlage et de la gémellité des
taures d'embouche sur l'économie de produc-
tion et la qualité des carcasses. On s'est servi
de 140 génisses croisées Hereford x Holstein,
non utilisables pour la réforme du troupeau,
pour démontrer s'il est avantageux ou non, au
point de vue rentabilité, qualité de carcasse et
volume de production, de les faire vêler avant
de les abattre. Le travail a nécessité deux
régimes, qui se sont poursuivis durant 2
années consécutives. Pour les besoins de la
cause, on les a divisées en quatre groupes
d'après les traitements. Les génisses du
groupe I servant de témoin ne vêlaient pas et
étaient vendues à mesure qu'elles atteignaient
le fini exigé par le système canadien de
classement du boeuf. Celles du groupe II ont
vêlé et nourri leurs veaux durant 60 jours à la
première expérience et 15 jours à la
deuxième, puis ont été abattues immédiate-
ment. Quant à leurs veaux, ils ont été abattus

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

au sevrage, avec leur mère, à la première
expérience et ont été développés jusqu'au
poids vif de 90 kg à la deuxième. Les génisses
du groupe III et IV ont vêlé comme celles du
groupe II et ont été engraissées après le
sevrage, lorsque les tests à l'ultrason nous
indiquaient qu'elles ne possédaient pas assez
de fini pour répondre aux exigences de la
catégorie A du système de classement du
boeuf du Canada. Elles étaient alors abattues.
Quant à celles du groupe IV, elles recevaient
en plus, une injection de P. M. S. G. pour
favoriser la gémellité. On a gardé ces génisses
en stabulation libre dans une étable ouverte
du côté sud-est. Elles y ont vêlé sur la fumière,
en novembre, décembre, janvier et février, à
l'âge de 20 à 22 mois. À la première expérien-
ce, elles ont consommé de l'ensilage de maïs et
2,25 kg de moulée, à laquelle on a ajouté 0,9
kg d'orge roulée par tête et par jour. À la
deuxième expérience, on leur a servi seule-
ment de l'ensilage de luzerne récoltée en
octobre.

Des résultats obtenus des deux expériences,
il découle:

(a) qu'on peut produire une viande d'excel-
lente qualité à partir de génisses de surplus,
croisées Hereford x Holstein, que l'on fait
vêler avant de les abattre;

(b) qu'il n'est pas rentable de garder ces
génisses plus longtemps qu'il ne faut pour leur
permettre de se rétablir après leur vêlage;

(c) qu'on pourrait au moins doubler la
quantité de viande de ces génisses, si on
élevait leur descendant jusqu'au poids du
marché du bouvillon;

(d) qu'on accroîtrait la productivité des
génisses, si l'on pouvait leur faire produire des
jumeaux.

Influence du taux de semis et de la fertili-
sation azotée du maïs fourrager sur les
performances des bouvillons. Dans cette
expérience, nous avons comparé deux popula-
tions de maïs (86 000 vs 129 000 plants/ha)
fertilisées à deux niveaux d'azote (145 ou 195
kg/ha). Nous avons utilisé 64 bouvillons pour
comparer les effets de la population et de la
fertilisation. La moitié des bouvillons recevait
500 g de tourteau de soya par jour et par tête.
La durée de l'expérience a été de 92 et de 112
jours pour la lrc et 2e années respectivement.
Nous avons noté une interaction significative
entre les doses azotées et les années ainsi
qu'entre l'addition de tourteau de soya et les
années. La fertilisation et le taux de semis
n'ont pas eu d'effet significatif sur le gain des

bouvillons. Lors de la répétition, nous avons
observé un meilleur taux de gain pour les
bouvillons alimentés avec le maïs qui avait été
fertilisé avec 195 kg/ha d'azote. Dans les
deux études, l'addition de tourteau de soya a
eu un effet hautement positif sur les taux de
gain des bouvillons.

Concentration de la progestérone, des
oestrogènes et du cortisal dans le plasma des
vaches ayant donné naissance à des jumeaux
ou ayant eu des rétentions placentaires. Nous
avons étudié pendant la période péripartum
les taux de stéroïdes plasmatiques associés
aux naissances simples normales (V.U.N.) ou
avec rétention placentaire (V.R.P.) et aux
naissances gémellaires (V.G.). Chez les té-
moins (V.U.N.), la progestérone baissa régu-
lièrement de 5,5 ng jusqu'à moins de 1 ng/mL
au jour du vêlage. Pendant les 2 jours
précédents et au jour du vêlage, elle était
significativement plus élevée dans les groupes
avec rétention placentaire (V.R.P.) et nais-
sances gémellaires (V.G.). Les profils de
l'oestrone et de l'oestradial-17/3 étaient sem-
blables dans les groupes V.U.N. et V.R.P.
jusqu'au lendemain du vêlage. Chez les
femelles ayant donné naissance à des ju-
meaux, les taux d'oestrogènes étaient beau-
coup plus élevés. Pendant la période postpar-
tum, la chute des oestrogènes était beaucoup
plus lente dans les groupes V.R.P. et V.G. que
dans le groupe témoin (V.U.N.).

Le cortisal, chez le groupe témoin s'est
élevé graduellement jusqu'au moment du
vêlage puis s'est abaissé graduellement jus-
qu'au niveau original. Pour le groupe V.R.P.,
le cortisal n'a pas varié de façon importante
avant ou après le vêlage.

Ces résultats suggèrent donc que la réten-
tion placentaire n'est pas liée aux taux
plasmatiques du cortisal, mais qu'elle pourrait
être associée à un taux de progestérone trop
élevé le jour du vêlage et que la baisse lente
des oestrogènes ne serait que le résultat du
détachement incomplet du placenta.

Moutons

Mesures corporelles et de carcasses du
mouton D.L.S. et de son croisement avec le
Finnish-Landrace abattu à trois poids. Les
mesures corporelles avant abattage et les
caractéristiques des carcasses de 24 moutons
D.L.S. et de 24 moutons = Finn = D.L.S.
ont été comparées à trois poids d'abattage
soit: 22,7, 32,2 et 40,7 kg. La longueur du
corps, la ceinture du coeur et la circonférence

STATION DE RECHERCHES, LENNOXVILLE, QUE.

de la ronde entre les deux groupes d'animaux
étaient semblables pour les trois poids d'abat-
tage. Les animaux plus lourds avaient un
rendement de carcasse supérieur, un pourcen-
tage de jarret et d'épaule inférieur et un
pourcentage de coupe de la longe légèrement
supérieur aux animaux plus légers. L'épais-
seur de gras à la 12e côte ainsi que son
contenu en gras augmentaient avec le poids
d'abattage.

Les carcasses issues du croisement Finn x
D.L.S. ne sont pas inférieures au D.L.S. pur-
sang et sont facilement acceptées par le
consommateur.

Porcs

Durée de la mise-bas, survie et croissance
des porcelets Land race en fonction de l'ordre
de naissance et de tétée. On a étudié la durée
de la mise-bas de 19 truies Landrace ainsi que
l'effet de l'ordre de naissance et de tétée sur
les performances avant sevrage des porcelets.
Soixante-quatorze pourcent des mises-bas ont
eu lieu en dedans de 3 h, 10% entre 3 et 4 h et
16% entre 4 et 5 h. La moyenne et le mode
des durées de mise-bas étaient respectivement
de 140,5 ± 14 et de 13 min ou 15,7 et 8 min
par porcelet. La durée des mises-bas était plus
courte pour les portées moyennes comparati-
vement aux grosses et petites portées.

Les porcelets premiers-nés étaient les plus
lourds. La correlation entre l'ordre de nais-
sance et le poids à la naissance était de 0,22.
La survie des porcelets était très influencée
par l'ordre et le poids à la naissance. Indépen-
damment du poids à la naissance les porcelets
les plus agressifs et dominants tétaient les
mamelles les plus antérieures. La croissance
de ceux-ci était légèrement améliorée.

PHYTOTECHNIE

Plantes fourragères

La motoneige et la persistence des plantes
fourragères. Au cours de trois hivers consécu-
tifs, on a étudié l'effet des pistes de motoneige
sur le rendement et l'analyse botanique des
plantes fourragères dans le sud du Québec. À
chaque printemps, on mesurait par échantil-
lonnage, le rendement et la composition
botanique de la piste et on les comparait aux
données obtenues à côté de la piste.

Sur nos parcelles d'expérimentation on a
constaté que dans l'ensemble, la motoneige
n'a pas affecté significativement les rende-
ments des fourrages, la réduction n'a été que

de 7%. Nos vérifications ont également dé-
montré qu'il y a eu réduction appréciable du
pourcentage des légumineuses. La proportion
en luzerne a diminué significativement. Les
mauvaises herbes, en bonnes compétitrices,
ont profité de cette situation en augmentant
leur population de 28%. Par contre, les
graminées se sont, en général, moquées de la
motoneige, n'ayant subi des réductions que de

Nos travaux suggèrent que le tassement de
la couche de neige risque de causer certains
dommages aux prairies de légumineuses. Une
parfaite harmonie dans les décisions entre les
cultivateurs et les clubs de motoneige quant
au choix de l'emplacement des pistes réduirait
de beaucoup les risques de pertes inutiles.

Effet des cultivars sur l'ingestion volontai-
re du mil, par les moutons. Dans un effort
pour évaluer la qualité de cinq cultivars de
mil, on a conduit une série d'expériences où
l'on mesurait les différences d'ingestion par
les moutons. On a récolté, au stade de
floraison, trois cultivars tardifs: Climax,
Bounty et Milton ainsi que deux hâtifs: Clair
et Champ. Ils étaient tous très productifs et
recommandés aux cultivateurs.

On a récolté, séché et haché le fourrage que
l'on a servi à des béliers antenais lors d'une
série d'expériences d'une durée de 2 semaines
chacune. Quinze moutons ont été alimentés de
chacun des cultivars. Le dispositif carré latin
5 X 5 fut adopté pour ces expériences. On a
également récolté les mêmes cultivars à la
même date. Les variétés tardives avaient alors
atteint le stade de pleine floraison.

Champ, un cultivar hâtif, se classa premier
dans trois essais sur quatre et deuxième lors
du quatrième essai.

Lorsqu'on corrigea les valeurs d'ingestion
volontaire en tenant compte du poids de
l'animal, Champ arriva encore en premier ou
en deuxième rang dans tous les essais. À
l'opposé, le cultivar semi-tardif se classa
dernier dans trois essais sur quatre et avant-
dernier dans le quatrième test.

Par anticipation, on serait tenté de croire
que la différence draconienne du classement
des cultivars pourrait s'expliquer par le
différent degré de maturité atteint par les
cultivars en fleurs et les autres coupés à la
même date mais un stade plus avancé. Ceci ne
fut pas le cas. L'ingestion des cultivars hâtifs
s'est avérée plus élevée que les autres dans les
deux régimes de fauche.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

La repousse des cultivars de mil était très
verte, feuillue et ne contenait pas de tiges
grossières. L'ingestion de ce fourrage a été
élevée et on a décelé moins de différences
significatives entre les cultivars. Cependant, la
tendance notée lors de la première coupe fut
renversée et l'ingestion des cultivars tardifs a
été plus grande que celle des hâtifs. Climax,
qui avait affiché la plus basse performance
lors de la première récolte, a été ingéré à un
degré significativement plus élevé que tous les
autres cultivars excepté Bounty, tandis que
Champ, bon premier au point de vue ingestion
lors de la première coupe, arriva dernier. En
moyenne, l'ingestion quotidienne, corrigée par
rapport au poids des moutons, s'est chiffrée à
92 g/kg (poids °-75) comparé à 66, 58 g
respectivement lors de la première coupe, les 2
années.

La digestibilité «in vivo» des mêmes fourra-
ges coupés à floraison a été évaluée lors d'une
autre expérience où l'on utilisait des moutons.
On n'a observé aucune différence significative
de digestibilité entre les cultivars. Les culti-
vars hâtifs ont quand même manifesté une
légère tendance vers une plus grande digesti-
bilité que les autres.

Les différences d'ingestion des cultivars
peuvent donc s'expliquer par leurs caractéris-
tiques physiques et chimiques et non par leur
digestibilité.

Sol

En sols acides, les plantes meurent d'in-
toxication. On a observé que le chaulage des
sols acides augmentait le rendement des
cultures. De quelle façon et en vertu de quel
principe ou mécanisme? On a tenté de trouver
la réponse à la station de recherches à
Lennoxville.

Nous avons expérimenté à plusieurs en-
droits des Cantons-de-1'Est et de la Plaine de
Montréal. Nous avons utilisé des légumineu-
ses, des graminées et des céréales. Nous avons
dosé les éléments uutritifs contenus dans les
plantes et les sols, afin de voir comment un
changement de pH du sol, par l'application de
chaux, affectait ces teneurs en minéraux.

Une observation s'est clairement dégagée
de la multitude de données expérimentales
recueillies sur ces sols du Québec: on chaule
surtout à cause du manganèse et de l'alumi-
nium.

On sait que beaucoup de loams et de sables
acides (pH 5,0) contiennent des quantités
excessives d'aluminium et de manganèse. Les
plantes qui y croissent en absorbent de
grandes quantités et s'intoxiquent.

On sait par exemple, qu'une teneur supé-
rieure, 400 ppm (parties par million), cause
une intoxication manganique grave chez la
luzerne. Or, on a constaté que de la luzerne
cultivée dans un sol dont le pH était 5,0,
dosait plus de 1000 ppm de manganèse (Mn).
On a aussi montré qu'il faut accroître le pH
du sol au-delà de 6,5 pour abaisser la teneur
de la luzerne en bas du seuil de toxicité. Il va
sans dire qu'il ne faut surtout pas appliquer de
manganèse.

Dans notre expérience, nous avons souvent
eu recours à un chaulage massif pour abaisser
la teneur en manganèse et en aluminium du
sol, atteignant ainsi des pH de 6,8 à 7,5. On a
alors provoqué une carence de bore et de
magnésium. Il nous a fallu combattre cet effet
nocif par l'application de bore à 3 kg/ha et de
magnésium à 50 kg/ha.

Les conclusions qui ressortent de cette série
d'expériences exécutées depuis toutes ces
années, sont les suivantes: l'action de la chaux
est bénéfique parce que la chaux prévient
l'intoxication des végétaux par le manganèse
et l'aluminium et parce qu'elle assure aux
plantes une meilleure alimentation azotée et
phosphatée. Il en est résulté des récoltes plus
abondantes et de qualité supérieure. D'un
autre côté, trop accroître le pH du sol peut
provoquer des carences de bore, de magné-
sium et de phosphore.

Dans le chaulage des sols, comme dans
toute autre pratique agronomique, il faut
éviter l'excès et bien s'assurer de respecter la
nature du sol et la physiologie des plantes.
Avec un peu d'intelligence et de technique, on
prendra avantage des effets du changement de
pH des sols sur la croissance des végétaux,
sans cependant chauler à l'aveuglette.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, LENNOXVILLE, QUE.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

B. de Passillé, A.-M.; Hartsock, T.G. 1979. Within
and between-litter variation of proximate com-
position in newborn and 10 day old Landrace
swine. J. Anim. Sci. 49(6):1449-1457.

Cahill, L.P.; Dufour, J. 1979. Follicular population
in the ewe under different gonadotropic levels.
Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochem. Biophys. 19:45-51.

Dufour, J.; Cahill, LP.; Mauleon, P. 1979. Short
and long-term effects of hypophysectomy and
unilateral ovariectomy on ovarian follicular
populations in sheep. J. Reprod. Fert. 57:301-
309.

Fahmy, M.H.; Bailey, D.R.C. 1978. Reproductive
performance of Australian Dorset ewes in
Canada. Wld. Rev. Anim. Prod. 14(2):81-86.

Fahmy, M.H.; Bernard, C.S. 1978. Selection for
high haemoglobin level in piglets to develop an
anemic-resistant line of swine. Livest. Prod.
Sci. 5:225-230.

Fahmy, M.H.; Holtmann, W.B.; Baker, R.D. 1979.
Failure to recycle after weaning and weaning
to oestrus interval in crossbred sows. Anim.
Prod. 29:193-202.

Fahmy, M.H.; Holtmann, W.B.; Maclntyre, T.M.;
Moxley, J.E. 1978. Evaluation of piglet morta-
lity in 28 two-breed crosses among eight breeds
of pigs. Anim. Prod. 26:277-285.

Lalande, G.; Beauchemin, K.; Fahmy, M.H. 1979.
A note on performance of Holstein-Freisian
calves raised to weaning individually or in
groups. Ann. Zootech. 28(3):235-238.

Matton, P.; Adelakoun, V.; Dufour, J.J. 1979.
Concentrations de la progestérone, des oestro-
gènes et du cortisal dans le plasma des vaches
ayant donné naissance à des jumeaux ou ayant
eu des rétentions placentaires. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:481-490.

Pelletier, G.; Lanoë, J.; Dunnigan, J. 1979. Chan-
ges in rat gastric proteases with age: effect of
hydrocortisone. Rev. Can. Biol, (décembre).

Pesant, A.R. 1979. The effectiveness of erosion
control in no till corn production. Proc. 8th
Conf. Int. Soil Tillage Res. Org. ISTRO
Bundesrepublik Deutschland. pp. 151-155.

Pommier, S.; Castaigne, F.; Simard, C; Boulet, M.
1979. Étude de la réhydratation des fibres de
protéines contenant de l'algimate comme agent
texturisant. Can. Inst. Food. Sci. Technol. J.
1 2(3): 117-1 22.

Tong, A.K.W.; Kennedy, B.W.; Chicoine, R.L.;
Roy, G.L.; Moxley, J.E. 1979. Reproductive

efficiency of artificially bred Holstein in Que-
bec. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:419-425.

Divers

B. de Passillé, A.-M.; Hartsock, T.G.; Ojamaa,
K.M. 1979. Behavioral differences between 3
litters of piglets during the first 10 days post
partum (abstract #5). 71st Annu. Meet. Am.
Soc. Anim. Sci., Tuscon, Arizona, p. 146.

B. de Passillé, A.-M.; Hartsock, T.G.; Ojamaa,
K.M. 1979. Ontogeny of behavior patterns of
the neonatal domestic piglet. C.S.A.S. Tech.
Sess. Abstr. 1979 Annu. Meet., Fredericton,
N.B. p. 32.

Besançon, J. J.; Chapdelaine, P.; Tremblay, R.R.;
Dufour, J. J.; Lemay, J. P. 1979. Propriétés
physicochimiques de l'x-glucosidase neutre du
serum et du plasma séminal du bélier. Proc.
Club Rech. Clin. Que. Abstract No. 28 (sept.).

Cahill, L.P.; Dufour, J.J.; Mauléon, P. 1978.
Studies on follicular growth rates in the sheep.
Third Reinier de Graaf Symp. (sept.) pp. 4-6.

Dionne, J.L. 1979. Les engrais chimiques et la
qualité de l'environnement. Rapport de l'as-
semblée générale du C.P.V.Q. 11-19 Agdex
040. Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimen-
tation Québec, aussi dans Agriculture 36(2):5-
10.

Dionne, J.L.; Roy, G.L. 1979. Doit-on continuer
d'envoyer les vaches au pâturage? Bull. Agric.
62:133-135(avril).

Fahmy, M.H. 1979. The uses of crossbreeding —
Part III. Sheep Can. Mag. 4(2): 10- 12.

Fahmy, M.H. 1979. L'infertilité des truies, un
problème sérieux. Bull. Agric. (sept.), pp. 24-
25.

Fahmy, M.H. 1979. Sheep improvement in France.
Sheep Can. Mag. 4(3):3-6.

Fahmy, M.H.; Flipot, P. 1979. L'intervalle sevrage-
oestrus chez les porcs. Dans Productivité de la
truie, C.P.A.Q. Colloque, pp. 31-37.

Flipot, P.; Guilbault, L. 1979. Réduction de l'âge à
la puberté de la truie. Colloque, Production de
la truie, C.P.A.Q. (mai) pp. 23-29.

Flipot, P.; Mason, W.; Lalande, G. 1979. Quand
récolter les fourrages? Bull. Agric. (juin) p. 29.

Ojamaa, K.M.; Hartsock, T. G.; B. de Passillé, A.-
M. 1979. The effects of birth on the physiologi-
cal condition of the newborn pig (abstract 13).
71st Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., Tuc-
son, Arizona, p. 149.

Pesant, A.R. 1979. La luzerne a passé un bel hiver.
Bull. Agric. p. 8.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Station de recherches
Sainte-Foy, Québec

CADRES PROFESSIONNELS

S.J. Bourget, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

C. Gagnon, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. Labelle

Directeur
Directeur adjoint
Services administratifs

Support scientifique

P. Venne,1 B. Bibl., M.L.S.

Bibliothèque

Amélioration des plantes

J.M. Deschênes, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. Bernier-Cardou, B.Sc, M.Sc.

M.R. Bullen, B.Sc. (Agr), M.Sc, Ph.D.

J.P. Dubuc, B.Sc (Agr.), Ph.D.

A. Légère, B.Sc, M.Sc

R. Michaud, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

J.C. St-Pierre, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Chef de la section; écologie

Statistiques

Génétique des plantes fourragères

Génétique des céréales

Malherbologie

Génétique des légumineuses

Physiologie des plantes fourragères

Physiologie des plantes

R. Paquin, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, PhD.
R. Bolduc, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.
H.J. Hope, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.
C. Willemot, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Chef de la section; survie à l'hiver
Résistance au froid, cytologie
Résistance au froid, mécanisme
Résistance au froid, mécanisme

Phytoprotection

C. Gagnon, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

L. Bordeleau, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. Comeau, B.Sc, Ph.D.
L. Couture, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. Richard, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.Sc

Chef de la section; maladies des
légumineuses
Microbiologie
Entomologie
Maladies des céréales
Maladies des légumineuses

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

J. Santerre, B.A., B.Sc, M.Sc.

Nématologie

Sols

C. De Kimpe, B.A., Ing. Chim. et Ind. agr.,

D.Sc
M. Laverdière, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
Y. Martel, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.
J. Zizka, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

Chef de la section; genèse

Pédogénèse et minéralogie
Chimie et fertilité
Fertilité

Économie

J.V. Lebeau,2 B.S.A., M.Sc.

Rentabilité des bovins laitiers

Ferme expérimentale, La Pocatière

J.E. Comeau, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
L. Belzile, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
A. Frève, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
R. Rioux, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

Régisseur

Plantes fourragères
Pommes de terre
Herbicides et malherbologie

Ferme expérimentale, Normandin

J.P.F. Darisse, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
R. Drapeau, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

Régisseur; bovins laitiers et céréales
Plantes fourragères

Départs

G. Mehuys, B.A., Ing. Agr., Ph.D.

a démissionné en juin 1979
M. Allard, B.A., B.Sc. Adm.

a démissionné en avril 1979

Physique des sols

Économie

CHERCHEUR INVITE

H. Antoun, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Écologie du Rhizobium

'Détaché de la Direction générale des affaires financires et administratives, Division des bibliothques.
2Détaché de la Direction des politiques, de la planification et de l'économie.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

La station de Sainte-Foy concentre ses recherches sur les divers aspects de la production,
de l'amélioration, de la survie et de la protection des plantes fourragères et des céréales, ainsi
que sur les sols. On poursuit également des recherches sur les plantes horticoles, les ovins et les
bovins laitiers aux fermes expérimentales de La Pocatière et de Normandin. Ce rapport
renferme des résultats de recherches obtenus durant l'année 1979.

On peut obtenir des renseignements plus complets en s'adressant à: Station de recherches,
Agriculture Canada, 2560 boulevard Hochelaga, Sainte-Foy (Québec) Gl V 2J6.

S. J. Bourget
Directeur

LES PLANTES

Les graminées fourragères

Une étude qui dure maintenant depuis 3
ans démontre clairement qu'il est possible
d'utiliser toute la saison de croissance pour
augmenter la production de la fléole des prés,
Phleum pratense L., sous un climat froid. On
a en effet obtenu un rendement total annuel
de 8000 kg de matière sèche à l'hectare à
Normandin, Lac-Saint-Jean, à tous les ans en
prélevant deux coupes de fléole: une première
au stade épiaison et une deuxième dans la
troisième semaine de septembre. La deuxième
coupe en septembre ne semble aucunement
affecter la survie de la fléole ou sa production
lors de sa première coupe de l'année suivante.

Toujours à Normandin, l'application de
fertilisant azoté à sept taux différents variant
entre 0 et 224 kg/ha sur trois cultivars de la
fléole des prés a permis d'obtenir une augmen-
tation graduelle du rendement en matière
sèche, qui est passé de 4084 kg/ha à 6415 kg/
ha en moyenne pour les trois cultivars. Climax
a été le cultivar le plus productif avec un
rendement moyen de 6225 kg/ha et Clair a
été le moins productif ne donnant en moyenne
que 5290 kg/ha.

Genres de semis. Une comparaison entre les
rendements de différents cultivars de la
luzerne (Medicago sativa L.), du trèfle rouge
(Trifolium pratense L.) et de la fléole des prés
selon divers modes et taux de semis, en semis
purs et en mélange, indique que la luzerne
s'est avérée de beaucoup supérieure au trèfle
rouge et à la fléole. Le semis en rangées a
permis d'obtenir des rendements plus élevés
que les semis à la volée. Durant l'année
d'établissement, le taux de semis n'a eu aucun
effet sur le rendement de la fléole alors qu'une

augmentation du taux de semis jusqu'à 12 kg/
ha a permis d'accroître le rendement de la
luzerne à Saint-Augustin.

Une autre étude pour comparer le rende-
ment de la luzerne, du trèfle rouge et de la
fléole en semis pur et en mélanges à La
Pocatière et à Normandin rapporte un rende-
ment plus élevé pour la luzerne que pour le
trèfle rouge. Toutefois, la fléole en semis pur
recevant N à 150 kg/ ha a fourni un rende-
ment légèrement plus élevé que la luzerne. À
La Pocatière et à Normandin respectivement,
la luzerne en semis pur a donné des rende-
ments de 6785 et de 4564 kg/ha, le trèfle
rouge en semis pur de 3747 et de 3595 kg/ha,
la fléole en semis pur de 6945 et de 5188 kg/
ha, le mélange luzerne-fléole de 6785 et de
5053 kg/ha et le mélange trèfle rouge-fléole
de 4837 et de 4871 kg/ha.

Inoculation. Le rendement du brome (Bro-
mus inermis Leyss.) dans des parcelles inocu-
lées artificiellement en début de végétation
par le Dreschlera bromi (Died.) Shoem., a
été, en moyenne, de 7663 kg de matière sèche
par hectare. Toutefois, le rendement du
brome en parcelles soumises à l'infection
naturelle a été de 8368 kg/ha, pour une
différence de rendement de 8,4%. Au moment
de la récolte des deux coupes, le degré
d'infection globale était identique dans les
deux groupes de parcelles indiquant claire-
ment qu'une dispersion hâtive de l'inoculum
est plus dommageable qu'une infection (natu-
relle) tardive.

Les légumineuses fourragères

Les conditions hivernales des trois dernières
années ont été favorables à la survivance de la
luzerne à l'hiver au Québec, ce qui n'a pas
permis d'effectuer une sélection intense pour

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

ce facteur. Toutefois, deux plants, le Saranac
et Tlroquois, sélectionnés à cette fin ont mon-
tré dans des essais à Charlottetown (Î.-P.-É.)
des pourcentages de survie de 52 et 49
comparativement à 29 et 8 respectivement
pour les cultivars Iroquois et Saranac d'origi-
ne. Ces cultivars sont évalués également au
Québec et l'un des deux a jusqu'ici donné des
rendements d'environ 5% supérieurs aux
cultivars Saranac et Iroquois.

Maladies. L'évaluation du degré de pourri-
ture racinaire chez une population de plants
de luzerne sélectionnée comparativement à la
population d'origine a révélé un degré de
pourriture moindre chez la population sélec-
tionnée après seulement une année aux
champs. La différence fut beaucoup plus
marquée pour le site où le degré générale de
pourriture était plus élevé. Le rendement de la
population sélectionnée fut également supé-
rieur à celui de la population d'origine.

La descendance de plantes sélectionnées
pour leur résistance à la tache leptosphaeruli-
nienne a montré une très légère augmentation
de résistance à cette maladie. Le peu de
progrès réalisé semble relié à la difficulté
d'évaluer adéquatement le niveau de résistan-
ce. La sélection pour la résistance au nemato-
de cécidogène a révélé une immense variation
inter et intrafamiliale. Les meilleurs plants à
l'intérieur de plusieurs familles ont été sélec-
tionnés en vue de croisements avec du maté-
riel adapté mais non résistant à ce nematode.

Les techniques développées lors de la
sélection pour la résistance aux maladies a
permis de mesurer l'effet des maladies sur la
résistance au froid de la luzerne. C'est ainsi
que l'on a constaté que le pourridié et le
flétrissement fusariens rendent la luzerne plus
sensible au gel. D'un autre côté, le gel a
favorisé le développement de ces maladies.

Les luzernières sont, de façon générale,
affectées par des pourritures racinaires. Les
maladies du feuillage les plus importantes
sont la tige noire (Phoma medicaginis Malbr.
& Roum.), la tache leptosphaerulinienne
[Leptosphaerulina briosiana (Pall.) Graham
& Luttrell] et la tache commune [Pseudope-
ziza medicaginis (Lib.) Sacc.]. Les pertes
causées par les maladies et la mineuse virgule
ont été évaluées à $1 1 millions. Parallèlement
à cet inventaire, une étude de la dynamique
des maladies a indiqué que les périodes les
plus propices à l'inventaire sont celles qui
précdent immédiatement les coupes.

Nematodes. Un inventaire nématologique
effectué sur une période de 6 ans a révélé la
présence de huit genres de nematodes phyto-
parasites associés à des cultures de plantes
fourragères, dans 254 champs échantillonnés
dans la province de Québec. Les nematodes
Pratylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Helico-
tylenchus spp., Paratylenchus spp. et Hetero-
dera spp. étaient présents dans 88, 71, 66, 65
et 65% de tous les champs échantillonnés; les
nematodes Tylenchorhynchus spp., Macro-
posthonia spp. et Xiphinema spp. dans une
plus petite proportion des champs. Les popu-
lations du nematode des lésions de racines,
Pratylenchus spp., étaient les plus denses dans
les sols de luzerne (Medicago sativa L.), de
trèfle rouge (Trifolium pratense L.), de lotier
corniculé (Lotus corniculatus L.), de fléole
des prés (Phleum pratense L.) et de brome
(Bromus inermis Leyss.). Ces populations
étaient plus denses dans les champs de fléole
des prés et de trèfle rouge que dans ceux de
luzerne. La densité de population du nemato-
de des lésions de racines, Pratylenchus, et du
nematode cécidogène, Meloidogyne, était plus
grande dans les racines de trèfle rouge que
dans celles de la fléole des prés et de la
luzerne. Le nematode des kystes de racines,
Heterodera spp., a été isolé surtout des
racines de trèfle rouge. La densité de popula-
tion moyenne du nematode «spiral», Helicoty-
lenchus spp., était la plus grande dans les
champs de fléole des prés.

Les récentes expériences effectuées avec la
double symbiose chez la luzerne indique que
les endomycorrhizes (Glomus spp.) ont aug-
menté de 19% le rendement des plantes
nodulées avec le Rhizobium meliloti.

Fixation d'azote. Une méthode de diffé-
renciation immunologique des souches du R.
meliloti a été mise au point en se servant des
techniques modernes d'immunofluorescence
indirecte par éclairage en lumière réfléchie
sur un microscope spécialement conçu pour
cette fin. Cette méthode positive d'identifica-
tion des souches nous a permis de recueillir
des données sur les conditions qui affectent la
nodulation et l'expression de la nitrogénase
chez la luzerne. Il a été mis en évidence que le
développement radiculaire et aérien des plan-
tules de luzerne est fortement influencé par la
présence simultanée d'azote et de soufre dans
le milieu; le soufre améliore la nodulation
tandis que l'azote favorise le développement
radiculaire mais inhibe l'activité nodulaire. Il
ne semble pas y avoir de lien génétique direct

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

entre l'activité du nitrate reductase chez le R.
meliloti et son activité nitrogénasique en
symbiose avec la luzerne car un mutant de
phénotype déficient en nitrate reductase a
retenu la même capacité d'infection et la
même activité nitrogénasique que la souche
mère, contrairement à ce qui a été proposé par
d'autres chercheurs.

Influence du climat. Les résultats de 5
années de recherches dans les conditions du
champ indiquent que l'endurcissement naturel
de la luzerne (Medicago media Pers.) est lié à
l'abaissement de la température et serait peu
influencé par la photopériode. L'enregistre-
ment de la température de l'air au niveau de
la plante et au niveau du collet offrent à
certains moments des différences assez mar-
quées avec celui des stations de météorologie
situées dans la région. Certaines des différen-
ces notées dans les observations de la tempé-
rature du sol au cours de l'hiver sont dues au
fait que leur enregistrement n'est pas fait
dans les mêmes conditions. Dans les périodes
critiques où le gel pourrait être nocif pour la
plante, il serait difficile d'expliquer la mortali-
té en se servant uniquement des données des
stations de météorologie.

Il semble de plus en plus évident que la
formation de la glace sur le sol gelé au début
de l'hiver est plus préjudiciable à la survie de
la luzerne que si la glace est formée au cours
de l'hiver alors qu'une épaisse couche de neige
recouvre le sol. On pourrait probablement
trouver une explication dans le pouvoir isolant
de la neige et la conductibilité de la glace.

Physiologie de la résistance au froid.
Même s'il est reconnu que durant l'endurcis-
sement au froid des plantes, il y a perte d'eau
dans les tissus, des expériences montrent
q'une atmosphère presque saturée, 95 à 100%
d'humidité relative, n'empêche pas la luzerne
et le blé d'hiver (Triticum aestivum L.) de
s'endurcir. Cependant, le stress du froid et
celui de la sécheresse se conjuguent pour
augmenter considérablement la teneur en
proline des tissus. L'humidité de l'atmosphère
ne semble pas modifier la teneur en sucres ni
celle des acides gras, à l'exception du 18:2 et
18:3 qui augmentent lorsque l'humidité de
l'air est élevée.

Peu de changements ont été observés dans
les sterols au cours de l'endurcissement au
froid du blé d'hiver.

Certaines protéines seraient formées durant
l'endurcissement au froid du blé d'hiver. Dès
le début du désendurcissement, l'activité des

proteases augmente avec le résultat que
certaines protéines disparaissent. Cette appro-
che permettrait de caractériser ces protéines
liées à l'acquisition de la résistance au gel.

La fléole des prés (Phleum pratense L.)
s'endurcit légèrement moins au gel (7X50 ou
température léthale pour 50% des plantes)
que la luzerne et le blé d'hiver et prend deux
fois plus de temps pour atteindre le maximum
d'endurcissement à 1,5 ± 0,5°C. L'accumula-
tion de la proline dans les différents organes
de la plante offre une forte corrélation de type
quadratique avec la TLi0.

Les céréales

Biologie et écologie des mauvaises herbes.
Un inventaire des mauvaises herbes présentes
dans les cultures céréalières dans la région de
Québec a débuté en 1978 et s'est poursuivi en
1979. Les résultats préliminaires indiquent
que le chiendent est très répandu dans les
champs de céréales, que les graminées annuel-
les sont présentes sur les retours de maïs et
que les mauvaises herbes annuelles à feuilles
larges sont dominantes dans les deux cas.

Même si environ 20 espèces de mauvaises
herbes caractérisent les cultures céréalières,
l'utilisation des herbicides reste faible.

Une étude sur le dynamisme des popula-
tions de mauvaises herbes à la suite d'applica-
tions répétées d'herbicides révèle qu'après la
suspension des traitements avec les herbicides,
il y a une augmentation de la diversité
floristique et une stabilisation du chiendent à
un niveau approchant celui des parcelles
témoins. Donc la succession secondaire tend
vers le même stade après l'arrêt des interven-
tions, sauf si l'espèce ou les espèces dominan-
tes ont été détruites.

L'étude de l'influence du régime hydrique
sur le rendement des céréales en fonction de
deux dates de semis confirme que, sauf pour
l'orge, la déficience en eau lorsque la tempéra-
ture est basse est moins néfaste que sous une
température élevée. Avec des céréales semées
tardivement l'irrigation est nécessaire pour
obtenir des rendements semblables à ceux des
céréales semées tôt. Le régime hydrique
semble plus important que la température du
sol pour expliquer les variations de rende-
ment.

L'effet de trois taux de semis effectués à la
volée indique qu'à 50 kg/ha les rendements en
grains des céréales sont très faibles et que ce
taux favorise une forte infestation par les
mauvaises herbes. À 200 kg/ha, les rende-

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

merits semblent très satisfaisantes tandis qu'à
100 kg/ha, le taux de semis commercial, les
rendements semblent inférieurs à ceux obte-
nus avec le même taux pour un semis en
rangée.

Le blé. La lignée Laval 19 est maintenant
homologuée sous le même nom. Ce blé d'ali-
mentation trouvera sûrement sa place chez les
producteurs du Québec.

L'évaluation et la lutte aux dommages
directs et indirects causés au blé par le BYDV
(barley yellow dwarf virus) se sont poursui-
vies. En effet, l'existence d'une phase secon-
daire de susceptibilité au début du stade de
l'élongation chez le blé est confirmé. Ceci
occasionne des pertes importantes de rende-
ment, allant jusqu'à 30%, accompagnées de
très peu de symptômes. Des parents assez
résistants au BYDV: SH7575, SH7580, Ron-
gotea, Pel 72390, Pel 10054-65, U.C.I,
U.C. 7, U.C. 8, peuvent servir de base à une
programme de croisements.

Une étude sur la contamination des grains
de blé par les Fusarium spp. démontre que les
lignées de blé vitreux panifiables, Neepawa,
BW20 et Sinton sont moins réceptives à la
contamination que les lignées de blé farineux
d'alimentation animale comme l'Opal, le
Laval 19 et le Concorde.

L'orge. Soixante-seize nouveaux croise-
ments réalisés en 1979 viennent s'ajouter aux
134 croisements déjà en ségrégation. Des
3000 lignées en évaluation en 1979, plus de
150 ont un rendement égal ou supérieur au
Laurier avec une paille améliorée. Il se
caractérise généralement par une maturité de
1 ou 2 jours plus tardive que le Laurier.

L'orge Midas (CI 13840) possède un type
de résistance différent de l'YD2 quoique l'YD2
soit beaucoup supérieur. Le cultivar Ariana
est extrêmement susceptible. La résistance au
BYDV de l'orge augmente plus vite que celle
de l'avoine et du blé mesure que la plante
vieillit au cours de la saison.

Le fongicide «furavax» a établi sa supério-
rité sur neuf autres traitements contre le
charbon nu {Ustilago nuda) avec une répres-
sion presque complète.

L'avoine. Quatre-vingt-quatorze nouveaux
croisements réalisés en 1979 viennent s'ajou-
ter aux 193 déjà en ségrégation. Plus de 400
lignées sur 3700 lignées évaluées en 1979 ont
obtenu un rendement égal ou supérieur au
Laurent et au Lamar. Les lignées ont une
maturité intermédiaire entre les deux témoins

et leur paille est également plus résistante à la
verse.

La lignée AA68-75 (CI500 x Q062.5) et
ses descendants sont nettement plus résistants
que toute autre avoine au BYDV. Quelque
200 lignées d'avoine «sterilis» sur les 5000
étudiées sont résistantes au BYDV.

La lignée CI3928, identifiée comme source
de résistance à la tache septorienne et à la
jaunisse nanisante, a été utilisée comme
parent dans deux croisements pour transférer
la résistance dans des lignées cultivées.

LES SOLS

Fertilité

Engrais minéraux. Au champ, une expé-
rience portant sur l'effet de trois doses de
phosphore, de potassium et de soufre sur^e<
rendements de la luzerne et la survie de cette
légumineuse à l'hiver s'est poursuivie pour
une deuxième année. Il n'y a pas eu de dégâts
dans les parcelles dûs à l'hiver 1978-1979.
Trois coupes de luzerne ont été prises pendant
l'été 1979. Cependant il n'y a pas eu de
différence significative entre les divers traite-
ments. La moyenne des rendements totaux
pour les trois coupes a varié entre 6570 et
7960 kg/ha. Dans plusieurs cas, cependant, de
grandes différences ont été observées entre les
répétitions d'un même traitement. Ces diffé-
rences ont atteint jusque 3200 kg/ha et elles
sont probablement attribuables à un manque
d'homogénéité du sol. Les parcelles sont
établies sur le sol Saint-André, un loam sablo-
graveleux.

En serre, une étude a été faite sur l'effet de
quatre doses de 10-10-10 sur la croissance des
tiges et des racines de mil semé sur deux types
de sol, les sols Saint-Pacôme et Kamouraska.
Des doses croissantes d'engrais chimiques ont
entraîné des augmentations de rendement
pour trois coupes tant pour les tiges que pour
les racines sur les deux types de sol. De plus,
les rendements des racines ont toujours été
supérieurs à ceux des tiges.

Complexe échangeable. Antérieurement, il
avait été démontré que dans les sols gleysoli-
ques riches en argile, la contribution de
l'argile au complexe échangeable était de loin
supérieure à celle de la matière organique.
Une analyse minéralogique détaillée et fondée
sur plusieurs techniques, diffraction des
rayons X, méthodes chimiques, propriétés
d'échange et de surface, a permis d'établir de

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

très bonnes corrélations (> 0,870, n = 31)
entre les pourcentages des divers minéraux et
des matériaux amorphes présents et diverses
caractéristiques de la fraction argileuse et du
sol total. Les analyses minéralogiques ont
également permis de montrer une évolution
plus poussée des sols gleysoliques dans le sud-
ouest du Québec que dans les régions de
Québec et du Lac St-Jean.

Pédogénèse

Sols sableux des basses-terres. Dix profils
à texture sableuse, représentant les principa-
les séries développées sur matériaux grossiers
d'origine éolienne ou deltaïque, ont été échan-
tillonnés dans les basses-terres du Saint-
Laurent. Suivant les critères de classification,
sept profils appartiennent à l'ordre podzoli-
que, tandis que les trois autres, moins riches
en sesquioxydes combinés à la matière organi-
que, appartiennent à l'ordre brunisolique. Les
pH des horizons de surface sont bas dans les
sols vierges, jusqu'à 3,05, mais atteignent
jusqu'à 6,5 dans les sols cultivés par suite des
additions de chaux. La teneur en argile de ces
sols est inférieure à 10% et c'est donc princi-
palement la matière organique qui est respon-
sable de la capacité d'échange. Les teneurs en
C organique diminuent avec la profondeur et
varient entre 7,2 et 0% tandis que les valeurs
de la C.E.C. varient de 23,6 à 0,11 meq/100
g. Dans la fraction fine de ces sols, les
pourcentages de smectite varient de 15 à 25%
et ceux de vermiculite se situent entre 5 et
10%.

L'analyse micromorphologique d'un profil
dans la région de Saint-Albert a permis de
constater que les produits de l'altération
podzolique, matière organique, sesquioxydes
de fer et d'aluminium, ainsi que de la silice
avaient un fort pouvoir de cimentation des
grains.

Aluminium interfoliaire et matériaux
amorphes. Les hydroxypolymères d'alumi-
nium et les matériaux amorphes ont été
extraits de la fraction argileuse des horizons B
podzoliques de quatre profils des Appalaches
et de quatre autres des Laurentides. La
solution de citrate de Na a extrait entre 2,0 et
14,7% de A1203 dans les sols des Laurentides,
et entre 1,0 et 2,5% de A1203 dans les sols des
Appalaches. Cependant, l'extrait obtenu pour
les sols des Appalaches contenait aussi entre
2,0 et 7,5% de SiOr La solution de NaOH
bouillant a extrait de 9,3 à 30,0% de A1203 +
Si(X dans les sols des Laurentides, tandis

qu'elle n'a extrait que de 2,2 à 4,1% de A1203
-I- Si02 dans les sols des Appalaches.

Ces diverses extractions ont modifié de la
façon suivante les valeurs de capacité
d'échange cationique et de surface spécifique
dans les divers sols. Après le traitement au
citrate, la C.E.C. de l'argile des sols des
Laurentides diminuait de 29 à 64% alors que
la So a augmenté jusqu'à 34%. Pour l'argile
des sols Appalachiens, la C.E.C. augmentait
de 3 à 23% mais il y avait peu de variation
dans la So. Après un traitement au NaOH,
dans les sols Laurentiens, il y avait diminution
de 46 à 79% de la C.E.C. et des augmenta-
tions de surface atteignant 16%. Pour les sols
Appalachiens, il n'y avait pas d'effet sur la
C.E.C, mais des augmentations de surface
atteignant 28%.

Ces études montrent une forte variation
dans la nature des matériaux amorphes dans
les deux groupes de sols et que la sélectivité
des méthodes proposées pour effectuer les
extractions ne semble pas aussi spécifiques
qu'elles le devraient.

Drainage et propriétés physiques. Cette
étude a porté sur la caractérisation des
différences existant entre quatre séries de sols
drainés souterrainement depuis 60 ans ou
moins et leurs homologues drainés superfi-
ciellement. Au point de vue morphologique,
l'effet d'un drainage prolongé est démontré
par le développement de taches de rouille à
une plus grande profondeur, traduisant donc
une meilleure aération des profils. Dans une
série, une couche massive existait à 18 cm de
profondeur dans le sol non drainé et elle était
remplacée par une couche dense mais plus
structurée et plus profonde dans le sol drainé.
Dans les horizons sous l'horizon Ap des sols
drainés depuis 50 ans, la capacité d'échange
cationique était de 12 à 15% supérieure à celle
mesurée dans le sol drainé, ce qui peut
indiquer de faibles migrations d'argile et de
matière organique.

Les mesures de densité apparente et de
conductivité hydraulique saturée ne mon-
traient pas de tendance définie. La méthode
choisie pour ces mesures était celle des blocs
non dérangés et il est probable que trop peu
d'échantillons avaient été prélevés, réduisant
le taux de confiance pour des valeurs qui de
façon générale peuvent varier assez considéra-
blement par suite des caractéristiques inhé-
rentes au sol lui-même.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

FERME EXPERIMENTALE
LA POCATIÈRE

Les plantes fourragères

Régie du semis. Sur un loam sableux, les
semis de luzerne faits à la fin de mai ont eu à
la première coupe un rendement de 50%
inférieur aux semis du début de mai. À la
deuxième coupe en octobre, il n'y avait plus
de différence entre les semis de mai. Les semis
faits à la mi-juin ont eu un rendement pour les
deux coupes de 75% inférieur aux semis
effectués au début de mai. À la première
coupe, Tannée suivant la semis, il y avait
encore 36% moins de rendements dans les
semis de juin comparativement à ceux de mai.
Le 2,4-DB a abaissé la hauteur, le contenu en
luzerne du fourrage et la pourcentage de
matière sèche de la luzerne dans les semis de
juin mais non dans ceux de mai.

L'enrobage de la semence de luzerne semée
dans un sol bien cultivé n'aide pas à son
implantation. Et cette technique ne semble
pas non plus favoriser une meilleure produc-
tion les années suivantes.

Les semis des plantes fourragères dans un
sol non labouré est une technique délicate
d'application. Le placement de la semence est
un problème majeur et les semoirs utilisés à
date n'ont pas encore permis de la résoudre.
La grosseur et la forme des semences des
plantes fourragères rend difficile leur place-
ment au niveau du sol. La période de temps
nécessaire entre le semis et la mise en
production est plus longue pour les semis en
sols non labourés que pour les semis
conventionnels.

Régie de coupe. On a soumis un semis de
trèfle rouge cultivé sur un sol argileux à
différentes fréquences de coupe au cours de 3
années consécutives après celle de son implan-
tation. À la troisième année de récolte, on a
observé que pour les traitements de deuxième
coupe répétés à tous les 20 jours, le trèfle
rouge avait complètement disparu peu impor-
te la date de la première. Quelques parcelles
contenaient encore du trèfle rouge aux traite-
ments 15 juin — 40 jours et 15 juillet — 30
jours, de même qu'aux traitements 1er juin —
50 jours et 30 juillet — 50 jours. Le contenu en
trèfle rouge de ces parcelles était générale-
ment assez faible. Pour les traitements d'une
coupe, seulement 70% des parcelles contenait
encore du trèfle rouge et un bon nombre
d'entre elles avaient une bonne population.

Chiendent. Le bas-9052 (BASF) a donné
une excellente répression du chiendent à
l'établissement et dans les plantations établies
de luzerne. Le meilleur résultat a été obtenu
en utilisant le taux recommandé divisé en
deux applications dont une au stade un à trois
feuilles (0,6 kg/ha) et l'autre au stade quatre
à six feuilles (0,6 kg/ha).

Les céréales

Spargoute. On a étudié les effets de divers
dosages de N et de certains herbicides sur la
spargoute (Spergula arvensis L.). La biomas-
se maximale de la spargoute a été atteinte
avec N à 80 kg/ha. L'augmentation de la
biomasse a été de 80% par rapport au témoin
non fertilisé. Une réduction de 50% de la
biomasse de la spargoute dû à une traitement
au mcpa au stade quatre ou cinq feuilles de
l'avoine n'a pas produit d'augmentation de
rendement dans l'avoine. L'association linu-
ron mcpa appliqué au stade 15-20 cm de
l'orge cv. Laurier a retardé l'épiaison et la
maturité de la culture.

Chiendent. On a conduit une expérience
ayant pour but d'établir la valeur des critères
de la densité et de la biomasse dans les études
de l'interférence du chiendent (Agropyron
repens L.) Beauv. sur l'orge. La densité des
tiges et la biomasse aérienne du chiendent
n'ont pas la même corrélation avec le rende-
ment ou avec le pourcentage en grain de la
biomasse dans l'orge. Les analyses de régres-
sion suggèrent qu'une relation linéaire décrit
de façon adéquate les relations entre rende-
ment et biomasse et entre rendement et
densité. La densité donne un pourcentage de
réduction de rendement de 64%; pour la
biomasse, ce pourcentage n'est que de 40%. Il
semble donc que la densité du chiendent
permet de déterminer le niveau de perte de
rendement dans l'orge de façon plus précise
que la biomasse. Une augmentation de la
densité moyenne du chiendent de 10 tiges/m2
provoque une perte moyenne d'environ 6
g/m2. La densité du chiendent semble égale-
ment un meilleur critère que la biomasse pour
estimer les variations du pourcentage de
grain; la relation est aussi de type linéaire.

Les pommes de terre

Sélection des lignées. Un millier (1098) de
lignées provenant de Fredericton (N.-B.) et
sélectionnées au stade de quatre buttes (F2)
ont été plantées sur deux sols (Saint-André et
de l'Anse) après prélèvement de deux germes

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

de chacune de ces lignées afin de la maintenir
en éprouvettes. À l'arrachage, 87 et 85 lignées
ont été sélectionnées sur le premier et
deuxième sol respectivement; de ce nombre,
22 coïncidaient. La sélection a porté alors sur
l'apparence des tubercules, le type, le calibre,
la maturité, l'absence de défaut et autres
caractères. Les résultats d'essais de croustilles
et de cuisson ainsi que le poids spécifique et le
rendement comparativement au Norland, au
Superior et au Kennebec a semblé favoriser
69 de ces lignées. Sur ce nombre, 13 ont été
communes aux deux sols et seulement deux
ont été bonnes pour les croustilles et la cuisson
en 1979.

Irrigation. En 1979, un apport de 2,5 cm
d'eau lorsque la tension du sol était à 0,2 bar a
augmenté les rendements de 30% sur un loam
argileux Saint-André et de 50% sur un loam
sableux Saint-Pacôme. Le rendement des gros
tubercules a doublé sur le loam Saint-André
et triplé sur le loam Saint-Pacôme. Avec
l'irrigation, le poids spécifique a passé de
1,061 à 1,073 sur le loam Saint-André et de
1,059 à 1,070 sur le loam Saint-Pacôme. Au
début d'août, on a mesuré les mêmes diffé-
rences qu' la fin de la saison dans le rende-
ment des tubercules.

Les défanants. Une fertilisation élevée en
azote a réduit la dessication des feuilles du cv.
Kennebec par le diquat, le diquat avec un
mouillant et le diquat précédé de l'éthrel. La
réduction a été particulièrement importante
avec le diquat précédé de l'éthrel.

Les herbicides. Le bas-9052 (BASF), le
bas-479 (BASF), le métolachlor et le mélange
métolachlor-metribuzin ont été des produits
très efficaces sur les graminées annuelles. Le
bas-9052 a donné en plus une excellente
répression du chiendent.

Les arbres fruitiers

Pommes et poires. Des trois porte-greffes
utilisés pour la Mcintosh et la Quinte, ce sont
respectivement Q-8 et Q-5 qui ont permis les
meilleurs rendements moyens (48,8 et 21,8
kg/arbre) pour des arbres plantés en 1968. Le
rendement moyen des greffes de 1969 sur le
M.R. (Malus robusta) a été de 65,7 kg et ce
sont le Lindel et l'Impérial qui priment avec
105,4 et 94,4 kg/arbre respectivement. Par
contre, c'est la Lobo qui a produit le plus
depuis les débuts de la production.

La qualité des fruits a été grandement
affectée par la rouille et c'est la variété Quinte

qui est la plus sensible. De plus, pour le
seconde année, la variété Rangers a été brûlée
par le soleil et la sécheresse (water
core). Les poiriers plantés en 1944 ont donné
de bons rendements (175,2 kg/arbre) et c'est
la variété Phileson qui a produit le plus (298,5
kg/arbre).

FERME EXPERIMENTALE
NORMANDIN

Dates de semis de la luzerne

L'établissement et la production des varié-
tés Iroquois, Saranac et Titan ont été vérifiés
pendant 6 ans dans des semis effectués aux
dates suivantes: 25 juillet, 5 et 15 août.
Aucune différence entre les variétés quant à la
production de matière sèche n'a été observée
pour chacune des dates considérées. Cepen-
dant, la production totale d'herbage a régres-
sé, comparativement à un semis fait en mai,
de 25, 31 et 42% respectivement selon les
dates, et la contribution de la luzerne au
rendement s'est établie à 58, 51 et 36% dans
le même ordre. À la première année d'exploi-
tation, la production d'herbage a été faible,
mais elle a augmenté sensiblement au cours
de la deuxième année.

Vérification de cultivars de gourgane

Quatorze de ces cultivars ont été mis en
terre en 1979. La forte pluviosité enregistrée
en mai et juin a causé une grave pourriture
des racines, entraînant une réduction de 32%
dans le nombre de plants viables. En juillet,
les températures élevées ont provoqué la
coulure des fleurs, diminuant considérable-
ment la pollinisation. Ces deux phénomènes
associés ont donné lieu des rendements en
grain vert inférieurs de 67% ceux obtenus lors
des années favorables. Ces observations dé-
montrent clairement que cette culture est très
sensible aux conditions climatiques et que sa
rentabilité n'est pas toujours assurée d'une
année à l'autre.

Les plantes horticoles

Régie du concombre. Les résultats de six
années de production ont démontré l'avantage
d'utiliser un paillis constitué d'une pellicule de
polyethylene clair pour un rendement accru
du concombre. Le rendement moyen, en unité
par parcelle, a été de 42,3% supérieur à une
plantation conventionnelle sans paillis. Les
dimensions de ce légume n'ont cependant pas

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

été affectées par la présence de la pellicule
qui, par ailleurs, semble contribuer à prolon-
ger la floraison et à produire davantage de
petits concombres en fin de récolte saisonniè-
re. La température du sol, à une profondeur
de 7 cm, a été en moyenne de 4,5°C plus
élevée sous paillis que sur sol nu et ce facteur
pourrait en partie expliquer la hausse du
rendement.

Les céréales

Amélioration du blé. Deux cultivars sélec-
tionnés localement pour divers caractères

désirables ont été promus dans l'essai coopé-
ratif Maritimes-Québec et l'un d'eux a
manifesté un potentiel de rendement supé-
rieur à des variétés connues. De plus, 15
autres sélections locales ont été vérifiées à
quatre postes d'essai pour leur adaptation
spécifique au nord du Québec, et 61 lignées de
génération peu avancée ont fait partie de
sélections préliminaires; certaines d'entre elles
sont prometteuses.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherches

Antoun, H.; Bordeleau, L.M.; Lachance, R.A.
1979. Rendement de la luzerne (cultivar Sara-
nac) inoculée avec une souche très efficace de
Rhizobium meliloti en présence d'autres espè-
ces de Rhizobium. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:521-
523.

Cacciari, I.; Lippy, D.; Bordeleau, L.M. 1979.
Effect of oxygen on batch and continuous
cultures of a nitrogen-fixing Arthrobacter sp.
Can. J. Microbiol. 25:746-751.

Clément, P.; Dejou, J; de Kimpe, C.R. 1979.
Caractérisation chimico-minéralogique d'une
évolution géochimique récente observée dans
un site de versant sur les gabbros du Mont
Mégantic. Présence de gibbsite dans les frac-
tions fines. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris, série D
288:1063-1066.

Comeau, A; Barnett, G. 1979. Effect of BYDV on
N, P, K fertilizer efficiency and on the harvest
index. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:43-54.

de Kimpe, C.R.; Laverdière, M.R.; Martel, Y. A.
1979. Surface area and exchange capacity of
clay in relation to the mineralogical composi-
tion of Gleysolic soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:341-
347.

de Kimpe, C.R.; Mehuys, G.R. 1979. Physical
properties of Gleysolic soils in the Lowlands of
Quebec. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:69-78.

Deschênes, J. M.; Dubuc, J. P. 1979. Effets des
différents taux de fumier sur les populations de
mauvaises herbes, la verse et le rendement en
grains des céréales. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:981-
989.

Deschênes, J.M.; Rioux, R. 1979. Effet des applica-
tions répétées d'herbicides et des dates de
préparation du sol sur les changements de
populations des mauvaises herbes. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:357-366.

Gagnon, C. 1979. Évolution de l'indice de pourritu-
re des racines du trèfle rouge, Trifolium
pratense L. au cours de trois années. Phytopro-
tection 60:109-1 18.

Gervais, P.; St-Pierre, J.C. 1979. Influence du stade
de croissance à la première récolte sur le
rendement, la composition chimique et les
réserves nutritives de la fléole des prés. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:177-183.

Guertin, S.P.; St-Pierre, J.C; Gervais, P. 1979.
Influence de la fertilisation azotée sur le
rendement, la valeur nutritive et la teneur en
diverses fractions azotées de trois cultivars de
la fléole des prés. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:839-
846.

Page, F.; Rompre, M.; Bourbeau, G. A.; de Kimpe,
C.R. 1979. Genèse d'un horizon profond fai-
blement cimenté dans un podzol sableaux de
basses terres du Québec. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:105-117.

Paquin, R.; Lechasseur, P. 1979. Observations sur
une méthode de dosage de la proline libre dans
les extraits de plante. Can. J. Bot. 57:1851-
1854.

Richard, C; Michaud, R. 1979. Deux cycles de
sélection de la luzerne pour accroître la résis-
tance à l'anthracnose (Colletotrichum trifolii).
Can. J. Plant Pathol. 1:59-60.

Rioux, R. 1979. Établissement du trèfle rouge dans
une prairie de graminées traitée au glyphosate.
Phytoprotection 60(l):59-65.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Rioux, R.; Comeau, J.E.; Généreux, H. 1979.
Effect of cultural practices and herbicides on
weed population and competition in potatoes.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:367-374.

Rioux, R.; Deschênes, J. M. 1979. Effet du glypho-
sate sur le trèfle et la luzerne. Phytoprotection
60(2): 103- 108.

Van Lierop, W.; Martel, Y.A.; Cescas, M. P. 1979.
Relation between the amounts of Ca, Mg and
K extracted from organic soils and their
concentrations in onion and alfalfa tissue.
Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 10(5):807-819.

Van Lierop, W.; Martel, Y.A.; Cescas, M.P. 1979.
Onion response to lime on acid histosols as
effected by Ca/Mg ratios. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.
43.

Willemot, C; Hope, H.J.; St-Pierre, J.C. 1979. On
the inhibition of frost hardening of winter
wheat by BASF 1 3-338, a derivative of pyrida-
zinone. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:249-25 1 .

Willemot, C; Pelletier, L. 1979. Effect of drought
on frost resistance and fatty acid content of
young winter wheat plants. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:639-643.

Divers

Belzile, L. 1978. Labourage «zéro» pour le resemis
des plantes fourragères. Forage Notes 23:28-
31.

Belzile, L. 1979. Winter survival of alfalfa (1977-
78) at La Pocatière. Dans Survey report on the
winter survival of alfalfa (1977-78) par C.E.
Ouellet. Agrometeorology Section, Land Re-
source Research Institute, Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, Ottawa. Misc. Bull. 10.

Bolduc, R.J. 1979. Entropy of activation for mem-
brane denaturation: mechanism to determine
the lethal temperature of frost damage. Proc.
Can. Soc. Plant Physiol. 19:10.

Bolduc, R.J. 1979. Technique pour l'échantillonna-
ge des cultures dans le sol gelé. Can. Agric.
24(4):19-21.

Bordeleau, L.M. 1979. Nitrogen fixation: an inva-
luable mechanism. Agrologist 8(4):23-25.

Bordeleau, L.M. 1979. Le pH et les microorganis-
mes du sol. Agriculture Québec. Journée
d'information sur la chaux agricole, ITA,
Saint-Hyacinthe (octobre). 9 p.

Couture, L. 1978. Efficacité de fongicides contre la
tache septorienne de l'avoine. Pestic. Res. Rep.
p. 503.

de Kimpe, C.R.; Laverdière, M.R. 1979. Effect of
internal drainage on some soil properties. Proc.
25th Annu. Meet. Can. Soc. Soil Sci., Frede-
ricton (N.-B.).

Deschênes, J. M. 1979. Une fois bien établi le
pâturage souffre moins de ses mauvaises her-
bes. Bull. Agric. (février), p. 40.

Drapeau, R. 1949. Revue de littérature sur le trèfle
rouge. Cons. Prod. Veg. Que. 92 p.

Dubuc, J.P. 1978. Rapport d'amélioration de l'avoi-
ne. Groupe du Québec. Vol. 21. 114p.

Dubuc, J.P. 1978. Rapport d'amélioration de l'orge.
Groupe du Québec. Vol. 20. 116 p.

Gagnon, C. 1979. Le trèfle rouge, une légumineuse
encore utile. Bull. Agric. (mai), p. 88.

Hope, H.J. 1979. A possible role for proteases
during changes in cold tolerance in winter
wheat. Proc. Can. Soc. Plant Physiol. 19:16.

Ketcheson, J.W.; Martel, Y. A.; Maclean, A. 1979.
Eastern Canadian soil. Agrologist 8(4): 16- 17.

Martel, Y. A.; Zizka, J. 1979. Combien vaut, en
argent, une tonne de fumier? Bull. Agric.
(janvier), p. 22.

Martel, Y. A.; Zizka, J. 1979. Les fumiers et la
qualité de l'environnement. P. 20-23 dans
Rapport de l'assemblée générale du CPVQ,
Sainte- Foy, 8 novembre 1978. Agriculture
Québec AGDEX 040.

Martel, Y. A.; Zizka, J. 1979. La valeur fertilisante
du fumier sur la ferme. Can. Agric. 24(1): 11-
12.

Martel, Y. A.; Zizka, J. 1979. Les recommandations
de fumier pour les sols agricoles du Québec. P.
82-93 dans Proc. Work Planning Meet, land
application of manure, Ottawa, 5-6 dec. 1978.
Institut de recherches techniques et
statistiques.

Michaud, R. 1978. Évaluation de cultivars de
luzerne pour le Québec. Bull, du C.P.V.Q. 70

P-

Paquin, R. 1979. L'avenir des techniques aéropor-
tées et spatiales en agriculture. Rapport de
l'assemblée générale du Conseil des Produc-
tions Végétales du Québec (C.P.V.Q.), 8 nov.

1978. Agdex 040:89-107.

Paquin, R. 1979. Influence of growth regulators on
the winter survival of alfalfa and metabolism
of CCC by alfalfa and winter barley. Proc.
workshop on plant hardiness, University of
Mount Allison, Sackville (N.-B.), 27 juin

1979. 3 p.

Richard, C; Furlan, V. 1978. Effect of inoculating
Rhizobium meliloti and Gigaspora calospora
on alfalfa growth. Forage Notes 23:32-36.

Richard, C; Furlan, V.; Bernard, C. 1978. Les
endomycorrhizes de la luzerne au Québec
(Medicago sat i va L.). Forage Notes 23:19-27.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINTE-FOY, QUE.

Richard, C; Surprenant, J.; Gagnon, C. 1979.
Pertes dues aux maladies chez la luzerne au
Québec en 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:48-
50.

Richard, C; Willemot, C. 1979. Effet de l'inocula-
tion de deux Fusarium sur la résistance au
froid de la luzerne. Phytoprotection 60:163.

Rioux, R. 1978. Écologie et dynamisme des popula-
tions du chiendent dans les plantes fourragères
et les céréales. Procès-verbaux, Trente-
deuxième réunion, Comité consultatif de la
malherbologie, Windsor, Ont., 24, 25 et 26 oct.
p. 38-39.

Rioux, R. 1979. Rutabaga, méthodes enregistrées
de répression des mauvaises herbes en 1979
pour Test du Canada. Canadex 163.641. mars.

Rioux, R. 1979. Betterave potagère, méthodes
enregistrées de répression des mauvaises her-
bes en 1979 pour l'est du Canada. Canadex
258.641. mars.

Rioux, R. 1979. Dans l'orge, le chiendent mange les
profits. Bull. Agric. (mai), p. 88-90.

Rioux, R. 1979. Seize rapports sur des essais de
différents herbicides sur plusieurs mauvaises
herbes et plantes cultivées. Comité d'Experts
sur la malherbologie, Rapport de recherches,
pp. 36, 68-69, 208-21 1, 221-224, 356, 376.

Rioux, R. 1979. Sugar and table beets, rutabaga,
rapeseed, mustard, kale and mangels. Summa-
ry. Comité d'Experts sur la malherbologie,
Rapport de recherches, p. 183.

St-Pierre, J.C. 1979. Le raygrass annuel, une bonne
plante-abri. Bull. Agric. (mars), p. 64.

Surprenant, J.; Richard, C. 1979. La médicarpine
et l'activité phenylalanine amoniaque lyase
dans la résistance de la luzerne à la tache
leptosphaerulinienne. Phytoprotection 60:163.

Thompson, L.S.; Gill, C.C.; Comeau, A. 1978.
Barley yellow-dwarf. Canadex, grain crops/
plant diseases, 1 10.630.

Willemot, C; Pelletier, L. 1979. Effect of drought
on frost resistance and fatty acid content of
young winter wheat plants. Proc. Can. Soc.
Plant Physiol. 19:23.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Station de recherches
Saint- Jean, Québec

CADRES PROFESSIONNELS

J.J. Jasmin, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

M. Hudon, L.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc. (Ent.)

Y. BONNEAU

Directeur
Directeur adjoint
Services administratifs

Support scientifique

I. Wallace,1 B.A., MLS.

Bibliothèque

Cultures fruitières

G.L. Rousselle, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

L. Bérard, B.Sc, M.Sc.

N.J. Bostanian, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

L.J. Coulombe, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R.L. Granger, B.S., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. Lareau, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

R.O. Paradis, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

I. Rivard, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr), M.Sc

Chef de section; génétique
Physiologie de la sénescence
Acarologie-entomologie
Phytopathologie
Physiologie
Gestion des cultures
Écologie de la faune entomologique
Écologie et contrôle de la faune
entomologique

Cultures maraîchères

P. Martel, B.A., B.Sc, Ph.D.

G. Bélair, B.Sc

M.S. Chiang, B.Sc (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. Crête, L.S.A., M.Sc

M. Hudon, L.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc. (Ent.)

B. Vicier, B.Sc. (Agr.)

Chef de section; toxicologie

Nématologie

Génétique

Phytopathologie

Insectes du maïs, écologie et lutte

Gestion des cultures

Gestion des cultures en sol organique

A. Bélanger, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Chef de section; chimie des
pesticides

station de recherches, saint-jean, que.

R. Bernier, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.)

J.A. Campbell, B.A., B.Ed., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. Marcoux, B.Sc. A., Dipl. adm.

J. Millette, B.Sc. (Agr. Eng.), M.Sc.

L. Parent, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Gestion des cultures
Chimie des sols, C/N
Gestion des cultures
Hydrologie
Physique des sols

Ferme expérimentale, L'Assomption

P.P. Lukosevicius, Diplomlandwirt, M.Sc, Ph.D.

N. Arnold, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

M. Dupré, B.A., B.S.A.

M. Lamarre, B.Sc. (Agr.)

I.S. Ogilvie, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Surintendant

Physiologie

Protection

Phytotechnie

Génétique

Départs

H.A. Hamilton, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

A pris sa retraite le 21 juin 1979
G. Mailloux, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A démissionné le 9 mai 1979

Chef de section; chimie des sols
organiques
Entomologie économique

CHERCHEUR INVITEE

D.I. Muller, Ing. Agr.

Physiologie

MINISTÈRE DE L'AGRICULTURE DU QUÉBEC

Protection des vergers

M. Mailloux, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Entomologie

'Détache de la Direction générale des affaires financires et administratives, Division des bibliothques.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Les buts et objectifs de la station de recherches à Saint-Jean portent principalement sur la
solution des problèmes touchant la culture des fruits et légumes ainsi que celles du tabac et du
maïs grain. L'équipe de chercheurs et le personnel de support concentrent présentement leurs
efforts dans les domaines de la production et de la protection. Cependant, certaines énergies
sont orientées vers les problèmes de la conservation de la pomme après la cueillette, le séchage
du tabac ainsi que la machinerie servant à la production et à la récolte. La création de
nouveaux cultivars de pommes ainsi que de nouvelles racines souches de pommiers résistantes à
nos conditions climatiques demeure un programme d'envergure nationale. La régie des cultures
maraîchères en sols organiques est aussi d'intérêt national, grâce à une étroite collaboration de
chercheurs des divers instituts d'Ottawa ainsi que de chercheurs attachés à des stations de
recherches de l'est du Canada.

Quelques-unes des réalisations importantes décrites dans ce rapport sont:

(a) les possibilités de développer une industrie de la prune dans le Bas-St-Laurent;

(b) la mise en place des techniques de lutte intégrée pour le contrôle des insectes de verger
et la réduction des coûts de contrôle;

( d) la possibilité d'utiliser les tourbières de Terre-Neuve pour la production de légumes;

(e) l'utilisation de cultivars de carottes résistants aux nematodes cécidogènes;

(/) la résistance du doryphore de la pomme de terre aux insecticides organophosphorés;

(g) Delhi 76 demeure le cultivar de tabac jaune le plus rentable au Québec;

(h) l'urée est la meilleure source d'azote pour le tabac à cigarette.

Ce rapport contient un court résumé des résultats des recherches poursuivies en 1979. On
peut obtenir des exemplaires des publications mentionnées à la fin de ce rapport ou des
renseignements supplémentaires en adressant sa demande directement aux chercheurs ou à la
station comme suit: Station de recherches, Agriculture Canada, Casier postal 457, Saint-Jean
(Québec) J3B6Z8.

Jean-Jacques Jasmin
Directeur

ARBRES FRUITIERS

Gestion des pommeraies

Cultivars. Une réduction générale du ren-
dement obtenu en 1979 reflète possiblement le
dommage dû au gel qu'ont subi les bourgeons
à fruit des pommiers lors d'une gelée printa-
nière. On notait en effet au moment de la
floraison un certain nombre de fleurs dont les
pistils étaient nécrosés, dégât typique d'une
gelée des bourgeons au début du printemps.
Les cultivars Hardispur, Mor Mac Spur,
Spartan, Jerseymac, Jonamac, Vista Bella et
Empire ont produit les meilleurs rendements
de fruits vendables à notre ferme à Frelighs-
burg. Jaune Transparente, Lodi et Melba ont
mieux résisté au froid à l'institution La
Macaza que n'importe quel des cultivars plus
tardifs. Cependant, le porte-greffe semble
influer beaucoup sur la survivance à l'hiver.

Les cultivars de poirier Phileson 31800,
Moc, Phileson 31811 et Enie rapportèrent les

plus forts rendements alors que Baïersmith et
Patten ont une qualité et un pourcentage très
élevé de solide.

Les cultivars de prune plantés à La Pocatiè-
re commencent à rapporter des fruits et les
cultivars Irsigner et Victoria donnent de bons
rendements à Frelighsburg.

Fertilisation (fumures). Le porte-greffe 0-3
s'accommode d'un pH plus bas que les autres
porte-greffes et donne de forts rendements à
un pH de 5,7. Les plus forts rendements ont
été obtenus par une fertilisation complète
avec faible dose de N, de K ou de Ca. Les plus
bas rendements sont associés à une carence ou
à une faible fertilisation en P ou Mg. Le
porte-greffe 0-3 est celui qui souffre le plus
d'une carence de Mg. Le M-26 s'accommode
d'un faible niveau de Mg et le M-9 est le plus
exigeant en fumure totale. Les relations sol,
feuille, porte-greffe, variété, fumure, qualité,
volume font l'objet de nos préoccupations.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINT-JEAN, QUE.

Interaction Alar : Simazine. Contraire-
ment à certaines croyances, l'interaction
Alar : Simazine ne semble pas affecter sensi-
blement les pommiers. La Simazine augmente
le nombre de feuille par pousse, la teneur en
N et provoque un mauvais aoûtement des
arbres. L'action d'Alar n'augmente ni ne
diminue cette action physiologique de la
Simazine sur les tissus végétaux. Des travaux
se poursuivent dans ce sens. L'Alar provoque
une baisse et la Simazine une faible augmen-
tation du poids moyen d'un fruit sans qu'il y
ait une réelle interaction.

Protection des pommeraies

Insectes. L'acarien prédateur Amblyseius
fallacis a été introduit dans une parcelle de
pommiers semi-nains Imperial Mcintosh, le 4
juillet 1979, à raison de 50, 100 et 200
prédateurs par arbre, lorsque la densité de la
proie (tétranyque à deux points et tétranyque
rouge) était de 8 tétranyques par feuille. Les
formes prédatrices ont atteint leur densité
maximale, soit 6 prédateurs par feuille, 5
semaines après cette libération, alors que la
densité des formes phytophages était bien au-
dessous du seuil de tolérance, i.e. 10 tétrany-
ques par feuille pour le reste de la saison.

Dans le but de trouver une méthode per-
mettant de déterminer les formes mortes et
vivantes de l'ériophyide du pommier, Aculus
schlechtendali (Nalepa), plusieurs techniques
ont été essayées. De ces différentes méthodes,
la détection de l'activité enzymatique demeu-
re la mesure la plus précise. Cette méthode
nous a permis d'entrevoir une application des
plus intéressantes: un moyen de comptage
rapide et efficace des tétranyques.

Cette méthode consiste à détecter la pré-
sence de la déshydrogénase malique chez les
individus vivants au moyen d'un spectrophoto-
mètre.

Des piégeages ont été effectués dans dix
vergers commerciaux et dans deux vergers
négligés au moyen de phéromones sexuelles de
synthèse dans le but d'établir les relations
captures-dégâts et d'utiliser des techniques et
méthodes de lutte intégrée. Les résultats
obtenus permettent d'établir dans chaque
verger les données phénologiques du dévelop-
pement des pommiers, les relevés météorologi-
ques, la somme des degrés-jours, l'époque et le
nombre de captures de cinq ravageurs (carpo-
capse, petit carpocapse, tordeuse du pommier,
tordeuse à bandes rouges et tordeuse à bandes
obliques) ainsi que le pourcentage de pommes

attaquées par ces insectes en regard des
insecticides appliqués. L'adoption d'un tel
programme permet de réduire de 20% le
nombre de traitements insecticides.

Maladies. Le Captane 80 WP a été utilisé
selon la méthode STOP après les périodes
d'éradication suivantes: 18, 24 et 30 h. On a
obtenu respectivement pour chacune des
périodes d'éradication le pourcentage de
tavelure suivant: 2,0, 2,3 et 3,8. Il est donc
possible d'obtenir une répression satisfaisante
de la tavelure avec 6 applications de fongici-
des comparativement à 12 suivant la méthode
standard.

Trois fongicides systémiques, le bénomyl, le
fenarimol et le méthylthiophanate ont été
appliqués contre la tavelure avec de bons
résultats.

PETITS FRUITS

Gestion du bleuet

L'incorporation de tourbe de mousse au sol,
avant la plantation, s'avère supérieure à
l'incorporation de bran de scie. De plus, un
paillis de bran de scie semble donner de
meilleurs résultats que l'irrigation. Le cultivar
Northland (hybride nain x géant) sélection-
né au Michigan donne des rendements encore
plus intéressants que Blueray. Quelques sélec-
tions de la collection Vandal (croisement nain
x géant 18-116, 18-157, 18-275, 19-129, 20-
43) ont commencé à donner des rendements
intéressants.

Gestion du framboisier

Les cultivars Kentville 70-11, Killarney,
Festival, Boyne, Kentville 69-4, Matsqui,
Kentville 70-15, Haida et Newburg ont donné
dans cet ordre décroissant de bons rende-
ments, car ils n'avaient pas été endommagés
par l'hiver qui a été clément. L'irrigation des
framboisiers a augmenté les rendements de 20
à 40%.

LEGUMES

Gestion des crucifères

Cultivars. Les essais de cultivars ont dé-
montré que les choux Hybride Safe Keeper,
Storage Green et F, Mercury ont donné de
hauts rendements avec des qualités horticoles
supérieures. Green Hornet, Southern Comet,
Bravo, Green Comet et F, Dandy ont produit

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

un meilleur rendement que tout autre cultivar
de brocoli inclus dans les essais cette année.
Whitetop et Dehra étaient les meilleurs
cultivars de choux-fleurs et Jade Cross et Jade
Cross E étaient les meilleurs choux de Bruxel-
les avec le meilleur rendement. Les croise-
ments et rétrocroisements entre le rutabaga,
Brassica napus x chou x chou sélectionné
en 1977 pour sa résistance à la hernie des
crucifères ont été croisés avec les choux
Houston Ever Green, April Green et Badger
Shipper dans le but d'améliorer les qualités
horticoles. Des sélections de ces derniers
croisements ont maintenu leur résistance aux
races 2, 2A et 6. D'autres croisements résis-
tants ont été effectués avec le brocoli.

Gestion des sols organiques

En comparant les travaux faits à Colinet
(T.N.) et dans le sud du Québec, nous voyons
qu'il y a des endroits à Terre-Neuve qui ne
sont pas suffisamment drainés et que par
contre, certains endroits au Québec sont
surdrainés. Il faut également prendre en
considération que seule l'aération des pre-
miers 20 cm de sol affecte la pousse des
plantes. Ceci implique que certains travaux de
préparation du sol peuvent avoir plus d'impor-
tance sur la récolte que le drainage.

Production des légumes

Il y a une corrélation entre la densité
minimale du sol et l'indice pathologique (I.P.)
de la pourriture des racines du pois de
conserve. La densité du sol augmente avec la
grosseur du tracteur qui opère sur ces fermes
et il semble que différentes argiles de la même
série, mais localisées à différents endroits,
réagissent différemment.

La variété de pois hâtif (1 100 à 1300 U.T.)
Canner 69-190 a donné les meilleurs rende-
ments suivis de Cameo, Dot et Dawn sur un
même pied d'égalité. Andes, une variété
tardive, a donné les meilleurs rendements
dans les essais et Canner 488 a retenu
l'attention avec l'indice moyen le plus bas
dans les variétés tardives (1 500 U.T. et plus).

Des plantations de semences pré-germées
de laitue et d'oignons placées dans une
gélatine fluide ont indiqué un certain degré de
hâtivité sur les semis ordinaires dans nos
conditions climatiques.

Des mesures de réflectance dans le spectre
visible et dans l'infra-rouge ainsi que des
mesures de fluorescence induite par laser ont
été prises dans le but de pouvoir prédire à

distance la date de maturité des laitues
pommées. Des lectures de pigmentation (chlo-
rophylle et carotène) ont également été faites
dans le but d'établir une corrélation possible
entre la pigmentation et la courbe de
maturité.

Protection des cultures

Lorsque le taux de fonofos se maintient
entre 30 et 40 ppm, que la température est
maintenue à 12°C et que l'humidité est de 180
± 20%, il agit comme un très bon insecticide
contre la mouche de l'oignon. Cependant, le
sol réagit fortement avec cet insecticide et
différents sols organiques produisent un taux
de rémanence qui varie de huit à dix fois
immédiatement après l'application. Nous
étudions ce phénomène et essayons de détec-
ter les facteurs les plus importants qui
affectent la rémanence des pesticides.

Des études sur l'hivernement du nematode
cécidogène, Meloidogyne hapla, nous ont
permis de réaliser que des infestations faibles
peuvent être mises en échec par un labour
d'automne combiné à une bon programme de
rotation.

La résistance de certains cultivars de
carotte au nematode Meloidogyne hapla a été
évaluée dans des micro-parcelles infestées
avec différents niveaux de population. Spartan
Classic, Spartan Sweet, Trophy et Hybride
(1302 x 0541) x 872 se sont révélés signifi-
cativement plus résistants que le témoin cv.
Gold Pak.

Des essais de laboratoire réalisés sur des
doryphores de la pomme de terre adultes et
provenant d'une région à pomme de terre de
la province de Québec ont permis de déceler
chez ces insectes un fort taux de résistance au
Furadan et à plusieurs insecticides
organophosphorés.

MAIS

Gestion de la production

Il a été déterminé que sous nos conditions
climatiques du Québec, il est préférable de
labourer le maïs à l'automne et de herser les
champs au printemps. Les méthodes de non-
travail du sol réduisent les rendements et
augmentent la compaction.

Le travail de recombinaison des gènes et de
création de nouvelles lignées de maïs grain se
continue dans le but d'obtenir des lignées
hâtives, productives, résistantes au sol froid, à
la pyrale, à la kabatiellose et à la fusariose.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINT-JEAN, QUE.

Protection

La production de masses d'oeufs de pyrale
du maïs pour les laboratoires de recherche et
l'industrie canadienne se poursuit activement.
Les travaux de coopération avec plusieurs
pays dans le but d'augmenter la résistance
naturelle du maïs aux attaques de la pyrale
donnent des résultats intéressants et nous
avons maintenant un vaste réservoir de maté-
riel résistant.

TABAC

Production

Cultivars. Les essais comparatifs se pour-
suivent entre des lignées commerciales de
tabac à cigare et 22 lignées (Fil à F16) qui
proviennent de nos programmes d'hybrida-
tion. Des lignées diploïdes (dihaploidés) ont
été obtenues à partir de plants haploïdes
produits par culture de tissus. La variété
Delhi 76 (tabac à jeune) demeure toujours
celle qui produit le plus haut rendement de
tabac de qualité, donc le meilleur revenu à
l'hectare.

Façons culturelles et fumures. Un rappro-
chement des plants sur le rang accroît sensi-
blement le rendement du tabac à cigare sans
en altérer la qualité. Le stade d'écimage
affecte aussi le rendement du tabac. C'est
avec un écimage au stade 50% de floraison
que l'on obtient le meilleur rendement et le
revenu le plus élevé.

Les différentes sources d'azote ont une
influence sur le rendement et la qualité du

tabac à cigarette. Les meilleurs résultats ont
été obtenus avec l'urée, sur les sols Upland
alors que pour les sols Soulanges, l'urée réduit
la qualité et le nitrate de potasse réduit les
rendements.

Protection

Maladies. Dans le but de contrôler la
maladie du chauffage à la pente du tabac à
cigare, des échantillons hebdomadaires de
tabac ont été pris chez deux producteurs à
partir de la récolte jusqu'à la fin du séchage.
L'étude a démontré que la saprophyte rencon-
trée dans plus de 90% des isolats a été
YAlternaria alternata qui n'est pas un agent
initiateur de la maladie. Les autres organis-
mes saprophytiques isolés en de rares occa-
sions ont été des Fusarium spp. et des
Sclerotinia spp. Aux deux stations sous
observation, le séchage s'est poursuivi dans
des conditions favorables et aucun isolât de
Botrytis cinerea, le principal agent de la
maladie, n'a été repéré.

L'humidité relative durant le séchage a
oscillé entre 20 et 80% pendant que la
température se maintenait en moyenne à 2 ou
3°C au-dessus de la température extérieure.

Nematodes. Il y a une relation étroite entre
le développement des populations de nemato-
des dans les champs de tabac et le type de
mauvaises herbes qui poussent. La population
de Pratylenchus penetrans par gramme de
racine séchée atteint 1760 pour le tabac, 1 137
pour la persicaire glabre, 488 pour la vesce,
3152 pour le pied-de-coq et 6468 pour la
persicaire.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

Bélanger, A.; Hamilton, H. A. 1979. Determination
of disulfoton and permethrin residues in an
organic soil and their translocation into lettuce,
onion and carrot. J. Environ. Sci. Health B
14(2):21 3-226.

Boivin, G.; Stewart, R.K.; Mailloux, G.; Rivard, I.;
Paradis, R.O. 1979. Observations sur la punai-
se de la pomme, Lygocoris communis (Knight)
(Hémiptères: Miridae). Phytoprotection
60:119-124.

Chiang, M.S.; Chiang, BY.; Grant, W.F. 1979.
Transfer of resistance to race 2 of Plasmodio-
phora brassicae from Brassica napus to cabba-

ge (B. oleracea ssp. capitata) III. First back-
cross and F2 progenies from interspecific
hybrids between B. napus and B. oleracea ssp.
capitata. Euphytica 28:257-266.

Chiang, M.S.; Crête, R. 1979. Two Plasmodiopho-
ra brassicae race 2-resistant male sterile
plants. Proceedings of Eucarpia-Cruciferae
1979— Wageningen 57-60.

Chiang, B.Y.; Grant, W.F.; Chiang, M.S. 1979.
The somatic karyotype of cabbage (Brassica
oleracea ssp. capitata). Euphytica 28:41-45.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Coulombe, L.J. 1979. Mesure de paramètres con-
cernant la sensibilité à deux maladies ainsi que
la production et la qualité des fruits chez deux
cultivars de tomate. Phytoprotection 60:79-92.

Deslongchamps, P.; Bélanger, A.; et al. 1979. Total
synthesis of ryanodol. Can. J. Chem.
December.

Lamarre, M. 1979. Le contrôle des drageons du
tabac à cigarette. Le Briquet 49( 1 ):24-27.

Lamarre, M. 1979. Les effets du pH et des engrais
sur la production du tabac à cigarette. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:131-136.

Lamarre, M. 1979. Les effets du pH et des engrais
sur la composition chimique du tabac à ciga-
rette. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:265-270.

Lamarre, M. 1979. L'influence du stade d'écimage
et de la distance de plantation sur les caracté-
ristiques agronomiques et chimiques du tabac
à cigarette. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1 109-1 112.

Lamarre, M. 1979. Essais de cultivars. Le Briquet
49(2):19-24.

Lamarre, M. 1979. L'influence des drageonnicides
et du temps d'application sur la production et
le contrôle des drageons du tabac à cigare. Le
Briquet 49(3):22-26.

Lamarre, M.; Cescas, M. P. 1979. Établissement de
fonctions de production N-P-K pour le tabac à
cigarette au Québec. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:453-
462.

LeBlanc, J.P.; Coulombe, L.J.; Hill, S.B. 1979.
Action des fongicides bénomyle et fenarimol
sur le charançon de la prune, Conotrachelus
nenuphar (Hbst.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
Phytoprotection 60:93-98.

Mailloux, G; Paradis, R.O. 1979. Développement
saisonnier de la punaise terne, Lygus lineolaris
(P. de B.) (Hémiptères: Miridae), sur fraisiers,
framboisiers et pommiers dans le sud-ouest du
Québec. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que. 24:48-64.

Martel, P.; Hudon, M.; Vrain, T.C. 1979. État des
insectes et nematodes nuisibles dans les cultu-
res maraîchères du sud-ouest du Québec en
1977. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que. 24:74-80.

Ogilvie, I.S. 1979. A simple structure for curing
cigar tobacco. The Lighter 49(l):20-23.

Ogilvie, I.S. 1979. Effect of morphology and quality
on cigar and pipe tobacco. The Lighter
49(2):29-32.

Paradis, R.O. 1979. Orthosia hibisci (Guenée)
(Lépidoptères: Noctuidae) ravageur des frai-
sières dans le sud-ouest du Québec. Ann. Soc.
Entomol. Que. 24:71-73.

Paradis, R.O. 1979. Essais insecticides contre
l'anthonome du fraisier, Anthonomus signatus
Say, présent conjointement avec la punaise
terne, Lygus lineolaris (P. de B.), dans des
fraisières. Phytoprotection 60:31-40.

Paradis, R.O. 1979. Comment réduire l'emploi des
pesticides en vergers de pommiers. Phytopro-
tection 60(2):69-78.

Paradis, R.O.; Rivard, I.; Vrain, T. 1979. Les
ravageurs des cultures fruitières du sud-ouest
du Québec en 1978. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que.
24:81-84.

Rivard, I.; Mailloux, G.; Paradis, R.O.; Boivin, G.
1979. Apparitions des adultes de l'anthonome
du fraisier, Anthonomus signatus Say, en
fraisières et framboisières au Québec. Phyto-
protection 60( 1 ):4 1 -46.

Rousselle, G.L.; Peterson, J.F. 1979. Association of
tobacco ring-spot virus with a union incompati-
bility of apple. Abstr. Phytoprotection
60(3):169.

Shapiro, I.D.; Pereverzev, D.S.; Hudon, M. 1979.
Vozmozhnosti upravleniya razninozheniem
steblevogo motyl'ka Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn., v
SSR i Kanade putem ispol'zovanyiya ustoichi-
vykh form kukury. (Possibilities of control of
Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Pyrali-
dae) in the USSR and Canada by means of
cultivating resistant corn lines. Rev. Entomol.
Inst. Zool. Acad. Sci. URSS 58(1):3-14.

Vrain, T.C; Bélair, G.; Martel, P. 1979. Nonfumi-
gant nematicides for control of root-knot
nematode to protect carrot root growth in
organic soils. J. Nematol. 1 1 (4):328-333.

Divers

Campbell, J. A. 1979. Nutrient losses and related
processes in a seasonally-operated septic bed
soil under favourable conditions. Diss. Abstr.
Int. 40(3).

Campbell, J.A.; Parent, L. 1979. Problems of
peatland development in Newfoundland. I.
Drainage and soil aeration. II. Site selection.
Peat News 1(3): 15-22.

Coulombe, L.J. 1979. La maladie guette vos céréa-
les. Bull. Agric. (avril), pp. 24, 28 et 29.

Coulombe, L.J. 1979. La tavelure? pas de problè-
me! Bull. Agric. (mai) pp. 102, 104, 105 et
106.

Crête, R. 1979. Diseases of lettuce/Maladies de la
laitue. Canadex — Horticulture (mars).

Crête, R.; Martel, P.; Vrain, T.C. 1979. Les
légumes sont menacés d'abord dans leurs
racines. Comment les secourir? Bull. Agric. 62
(mars), pp. 54, 57 à 59.

STATION DE RECHERCHES, SAINT-JEAN, QUE.

Granger, R.L. 1979. Spartan apple breakdown.
News and Features No. 1849. Nov. 16, pp. 12-
14. Le brunissement des pommes Spartan.
Nouvelles et articles documentaires. No. 1832.
(20 juillet) pp. 5-7.

Hudon, M. 1979. L'agriculture en Italie. Agricultu-
re 36(1 ):23-26.

Hudon, M. 1979. Création de lignées de maïs grain.
Agriculture 36(2): 10.

Hudon, M. 1979. Pour combattre la pyrale, on y
élève des pyrales. Bull. Agric. (septembre) pp.
34-35.

Hudon, M. 1979. Centre de recherches de Saint-
Jean: des millions d'oeufs de pyrale exportés en
Ontario. Le Richelieu agricole 43(29): 16-18.

Paradis, R.O. 1979. La culture des fraises. Le
Richelieu agricole, hebdo., Saint-Jean (Qué-
bec) (15 mai 1979)43(29):10.

Paradis, R.O.; Rivard, I.; Mailloux, M. 1979.
Pyrale, tordeuses et mouche de la pomme:
deux pièges mis à l'essai avec succès. Le
Richelieu agricole, hebdo., Saint- Jean (Qué-
bec) (20 avril 1979)43:7.

Paradis, R.O.; Simard, L.G. 1979. Les ravageurs
des fraisières du Québec. Station de recher-
ches, Saint- Jean (Québec) Bull. Tech. 12. 12
pp.

Parent, L.E.; Millette, J.A.; Bourbeau, G.A. 1979.
Lutte contre l'érosion éolienne des sols pulvéru-
lents du Québec. Compte-rendu du colloque de
Génie Rural, janvier 1980.

Preston, CM.; Valk, M.; Mathur, S. P.; Campbell,
J.; Knibbe, E.N. 1979. Copper application
trials. Ont. Veg. Res. Comm. Annu. Rep. Ont.
Min. Agric. Food 8:80.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

CENTRAL REGION
RÉGION DU CENTRE

Dr. J. G. Saha

Dr. H. Baenziger Dr. E. E. Lister

Mr. G. B. Matthews

EXECUTIVE OF THE CENTRAL REGION
V EXÉCUTIF DE LA RÉGION DU CENTRE

Acting Director General
Directeur général intérimaire

J. G. Saha, B.Sc, M.Sc. (Tech.), Ph.D.

Program Specialists
Spécialistes en programmes

H. Baenziger, Ing. Agr., M.Sc, Ph.D.
E. E. Lister, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Chief, Finance and Administration
Chef, Finances et administration

G. B. Matthews

XXI

PREFACE

The Central Region includes seven research
institutes and four research stations, each
responsible for specific research programs,
and the Research Program Service, responsi-
ble for providing editorial, text processing,
graphic, and several other services to the
entire Research Branch. The Region's estab-
lishments employed approximately 390 pro-
fessionals in 1979, and their total budgets
amounted to about $40 million.

The research institutes have national man-
dates. At the Animal Research Institute
breeding, nutrition, and management re-
search is under way with dairy and beef
cattle, swine, poultry, and sheep. Biosystemat-
ics research includes taxonomic studies on
insects, arachnids, nematodes, vascular
plants, and fungi. The Institute also maintains
national collections of these biota and pro-
vides an identification service. The Chemistry
and Biology Research Institute carries out
research in specialized areas such as winter-
hardiness, nitrogen fixation, and plant dis-
eases. It also provides analytical chemistry
and electron microscopy services to other
Branch establishments. The Land Resource
Research Institute carries out soil surveys in
all provinces and performs research in land
classification and utilization and in agromete-
orology. The Engineering and Statistical
Research Institute is involved in research on
mechanization, farm structures, and energy.
Statistical research in support of branch
programs also forms an important activity.
This institute is heavily involved in the
contracting-out program in areas such as
mechanization energy. The activities of the
Food Research Institute focus primarily on
food processing, food distribution, and food
quality and nutrition. The London Research
Institute specializes in integrated pest man-
agement in both disease and insect pests.

The research stations serve Ontario agricul-
ture through plant breeding research in most
major crops and through research in various
aspects of agronomy, pest control, and other
production technology. The Ottawa Research
Station, with its two administratively con-
nected experimental farms at Kapuskasing
and Thunder Bay, serves eastern and northern
Ontario and specializes in crop breeding and
management involving forage and cereal

crops, corn, soybeans, and ornamentals. The
Harrow Research Station carries out breeding
and management research in tree fruits, field
and greenhouse vegetables, and several field
crops including corn, soybeans, and field
beans. The Delhi Research Station specializes
in various aspects of tobacco research includ-
ing breeding, pest control, and quality re-
search. The Vineland Research Station and
its associated Experimental Farm at Smith-
field serve the fruit and vegetable growing
areas of southern and eastern Ontario. Their
research programs are oriented toward im-
provements of pest control and production
technology.

Some key advances at the institutes in 1979
included establishment of the vitamin D
requirement for ruminants fed forage in
northern latitudes; licensing and commercial
assessment of rapeseed technology; demon-
stration of whey utilization as animal feed;
chemical identification of bound pesticide
residues; and discovery of peach X-disease
transmission by certain leafhoppers. Anno-
tated inventories of pest species of plants,
fungi, and insects found in Canada were
initiated in 1979. Also, two major books were
published: Budd's Flora of the Canadian
Prairie Provinces; and The Mosquitoes of
Canada, Part 6 in the series Insects and
Arachnids of Canada.

Outstanding accomplishments at the re-
search stations included the licensing of the
soybean Maple Presto, the first truly short-
season cultivar; and the development of a
predictive model for carrot rust fly, which
reliably forecasts dates of emergence of first-
and second-generation adults.

Dr. W. B. Mountain, Director General of
Central Region, was seconded to the Manage-
ment Accountability Directorate as Director
General for a period of about 2 yr. Dr. J. G.
Saha, Director of the Chemistry and Biology
Research Institute, was appointed Acting
Director General of the Region.

Further information about our programs
may be obtained by writing to the research
establishments concerned or by addressing
inquiries to Central Region Headquarters,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ex-
perimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0C6.

J. G. Saha

XXll

PREFACE

La région du Centre comprend sept instituts de
recherches et quatre stations de recherches, chacun
responsable de programmes particuliers, de même
que le Service des programmes de recherche qui
s'occupe de la révision et de la publication, du
traitement des textes, du graphisme et de divers
autres services pour l'ensemble de la Direction. En
1979, ces établissements employaient environ 390
chercheurs et leur budget total se chiffrait aux
alentours de 40 millions de dollars.

Les instituts de recherches ont des mandats
d'envergure nationale. L'Institut de recherches
zootechniques effectue des travaux d'amélioration
génétique, de nutrition et de conduite des troupeaux
sur les bovins laitiers et de boucherie, les porcs, la
volaille et les moutons. La recherche biosystémati-
que englobe des études taxonomiques sur les insec-
tes, les arachnides, les nematodes, les plantes
vasculaires et les champignons. L'institut qui en est
responsable garde aussi des collections de spécimens
et dispense un service d'identification. L'Institut de
recherches chimiques et biologiques travaille dans
des domaines spécialisés comme la résistance à
l'hiver, la fixation de l'azote et les maladies des
plantes. Il fournit aussi des services de chimie
analytique et de microscopie électronique aux
autres établissements de la Direction. L'Institut de
recherches sur les terres effectue des prospections
géologiques dans toutes les provinces et s'occupe de
la classification et de l'utilisation des terres et
d'agrométéorologie. L'Institut de recherches tech-
niques et statistiques fait des études sur la mécani-
sation, la structure des établissements agricoles et
l'exploitation de l'énergie. La recherche statistique
menée dans le cadre des programmes de la Direc-
tion y constitue également une activité importante.
Cet établissement anime en outre un important
programme de recherches contractuelles dans des
domaines comme l'énergie de la mécanisation.
Quant aux activités de l'Institut de recherches sur
les aliments, elles portent surtout sur la transforma-
tion et la distribution de même que sur les aspects
qualité et valeur nutritive. Enfin, l'Institut de
recherches à London se spécialise en lutte antipara-
sitaire intégrée contre les maladies et les insectes
nuisibles.

Pour leur part, les stations de recherches sont au
service de l'agriculture ontarienne par leurs travaux
d'amélioration génétique sur la plupart des cultures
importantes et par leurs recherches sur différents
aspects de l'agronomie, de la lutte antiparasitaire et
d'autres techniques de production. La station de
recherches à Ottawa avec ses deux fermes expéri-
mentales satellites à Kapuskasing et à Thunder

Bay, dessert l'est et le nord de l'Ontario et se
spécialise dans l'amélioration et la conduite des
cultures céréalières et fourragères, du maïs, du soja
et des plantes ornementales. La station à Harrow se
concentre sur l'amélioration et la conduite des
arbres fruitiers, des légumes de serre et de plein
champ ainsi que de diverses grandes cultures
comme le maïs, le soja et le haricot. La station à
Delhi se spécialise dans les différents aspects de la
culture du tabac comme l'amélioration génétique,
la lutte antiparasitaire et la qualité du produit. La
station à Vineland et sa ferme expérimentale
associée située à Smithfield dessert les régions
fruitières et maraîchères du sud et de l'est de
l'Ontario. Leurs programmes sont axés sur l'amélio-
ration des techniques de lutte antiparasitaire et de
production.

Parmi les progrès marquants réalisés en 1979 par
les instituts, citons l'établissement des besoins en
vitamine D des ruminants nourris sous les latitudes
Nord, l'homologation et l'évaluation commerciale
de la technologie du colza, la démonstration de
l'usage du lactosérum comme aliment des animaux,
l'identification chimique des résidus liés des pestici-
des et la découverte du mode de transmission de la
maladie X du pêcher par certaines cicadelles. On a
commencé des inventaires annotés des espèces
nuisibles de champignons et d'insectes trouvées au
Canada. Deux livres importants ont aussi été
publiés: Flora of the Canadian Prairie Provinces de
Budd et The Mosquitoes of Canada, tome 6 dans la
série Insectes et arachnides du Canada.

Les grandes réalisations des stations de recher-
ches comprennent l'homologation du soja Maple
Presto, le premier cultivar véritablement précoce
pour notre climat et l'élaboration d'un modèle
prévisionnel sur la mouche de la carotte établissant
avec exactitude les dates d'apparition des adultes de
première et de deuxième générations.

M. W.B. Mountain, directeur général de la
région du Centre a été détaché à la Direction de
l'imputabilité de la gestion comme directeur géné-
ral pour une période d'environ deux ans. M. J.G.
Saha, directeur de l'Institut de recherches chimi-
ques et biologiques a été nommé, pour sa part,
directeur général intérimaire de la Région.

On peut obtenir de plus amples renseignements
sur nos programmes en écrivant aux établissements
de recherches concernés ou à l'adresse suivante:
Administration de la région du Centre, Direction de
la recherche, Agriculture Canada, Ferme expéri-
mentale, Ottawa (Ont.), Kl A 0C6.

J.G. Saha

XXIII

Research Station
Delhi, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

C. F. Marks, B.Sc., M.S.A., PhD.

Director

Tobacco

H. H. Cheng, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. A. Court, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. M. Elliot, B.S.A., M.S.A.
S. K. Gayed, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. S. Pandeya, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
N. Rosa, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. K. Walker, B.S.A., M.S.

F. H. White, B.Sc, M.Sc.

B. F. Zilkey, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Entomology

Chemistry

Soil science

Plant pathology

Genetics and plant breeding

Plant physiology

Plant science

Genetics and plant breeding

Plant physiology

EXTENSION SERVICES1

M. C. Watson, B.S.A.
N. W. Sheidow, B.Sc.

Tobacco
Tobacco

'Provided by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

RESEARCH STATION, DELHI, ONT.

INTRODUCTION

The Delhi Research Station is the primary center for research on flue-cured tobacco in
Canada. Multidisciplinary research projects on the development of new varieties and on crop
production and crop protection practices are conducted. Emphasis is placed on improving the
physical and chemical quality of Canadian flue-cured tobacco from the standpoints of usability
by manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, and consumer acceptability and health. An
engineering program funded by the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers Council and the
Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board also conducts research at the Station
on the reduction of energy use in curing and on the mechanization of harvesting and handling
of tobacco.

A blue mold {Peronospora tabacina Adam.) epidemic occurred in the main tobacco belt in
Ontario in 1979 and resulted in a loss of about 31 800 000 kg of tobacco or about 30% of the
entire crop.

More extensive summaries of research activities are published in the annual Tobacco
Research Report which is prepared for extension workers and growers. Copies of the Tobacco
Research Report and scientific publications are available from Delhi Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 186, Delhi, Ont. N4B 2W9.

C. F. Marks
Director

SOIL SCIENCE

PLANT SCIENCE

Nutrition survey

Seedling culture

On a 32-farm survey, soil pH was positively
related to contents of Ca and Mg in the soil
and leaf content of Ca. Acid soils had higher
contents of Mn and Zn and produced tobacco
with higher levels of these two elements. Soil
pH was not correlated with Cd in the soil, but
Cd in the plant was positively correlated with
plant levels of Mn and Zn. Levels of K or Cu
in the soil or plant were not associated with
pH.

Fertilization

In a Fox loamy sand in which 13 consecu-
tive crops of tobacco had been grown with K
omitted from the fertilizer, the level of K
declined to about 40% of the initial soil test
value and the yield was 350 kg/ha lower than
from the complete fertilizer treatment. One-
half rate of K superimposed on the no-K plots
for the 12th and 13th crops resulted in a loss
in yield of 165 kg/ha for the 1st yr the half-
rate was applied and no loss in the 2nd yr.
The omission of K lowered grade quality but
the omission of Mg or P had little effect on
yield or quality.

Adequate size of Todd cell seedlings for
mechanical transplanting was achieved by
periodic fertilization of peat-lite types of
medium in the cells with sufficient 20-20-20 to
obtain a total nitrogen equivalent of 0.012 g
per plant. Todd cell seedlings survived better
in the field, were more uniform in growth,
flowered earlier, and tended to give higher
quality and yield than seedbed seedlings. The
Todd cell system eliminates plant pulling and
is amenable to complete mechanization of the
transplanting operation.

Comparisons of muck and a 50/50 mixture
of peat and muck and three sequential pull-
ings from seedbeds showed that yield, cash
returns, and total alkaloid levels in cured
leaves were higher for pulling-one transplants
than for other pullings from both seedbed
media; transplant survival was lower for
pulling-one transplants; grade price, filling
value, lamina weight, and reducing sugars in
cured leaves were not affected by number of
pulling or type of medium. Forking of seed-
beds was found to improve survival of seed-
lings in the field and promote earlier maturity
and yield.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Sucker control chemicals

The use of «-decanol in formulations with a
surfactant to control axillary bud growth in
tobacco tends to reduce total alkaloid content
in the lamina. Metabolic processes associated
with the accumulation of total alkaloids,
particularly nicotine, are affected differently
by rt-decanol versus mechanical removal of
suckers. Sucker control chemicals should be
applied at the mid-bud stage to provide
optimum control of suckers and maximal
accumulation of total alkaloids in the lamina.

Curing

An extensive study with 50 cooperating
growers indicated that the effectiveness of
ethylene gas for reducing curing time and
improving tobacco quality depended upon
type of curing system, curing procedure,
cultivar, maturity, and length of exposure to
the gas. The gas usually promoted faster
yellowing and darkened the base color, but
some damage, usually insufficient to cause
quality deterioration, occurred in certain
instances.

CHEMISTRY

Effect of cigarette weight and pressure-drop
on tar and nicotine in smoke

Flue-cured tobacco leaves from different
stalk positions were made into cigarettes and
selected within narrow ranges of weight and
pressure drop to compare the effects of
variable pressure drop at constant weight or
of variable weight at constant pressure drop
on smoke parameters. Tar and nicotine levels
increased and decreased, respectively, with
tar and nicotine levels in the smoke; nicotine
was affected to a greater extent than tar. Tar
and nicotine in the smoke increased with
ascending stalk position, but nicotine in-
creased proportionately more than tar.

Effect of growth, stalk position, topping,
and curing on duvatrienediol levels of
tobacco

Amounts of duvatrienediols, important
precursors of flavor and aroma constituents in
flue-cured tobacco, increased after topping in
the middle and upper stalk positions. A
general decrease in these diterpenes was
observed in all stalk positions prior to topping
and continued to decline in the lower plant

positions after topping. Levels of duvatriene-
diols in leaves increased with ascending stalk
position. During the curing process the levels
of duvatrienediols in the leaf declined to about
one-half that in the corresponding green leaf
tissue. The decline continued in storage after
curing.

Tobacco terpenes in relation to tobacco
quality

About 2000 tobacco grade samples were
analyzed to examine the relationship of
terpenes to grade quality using a diterpene,
neophytadiene, as a marker. The association
between neophytadiene and grade index was
not large but was greater than that obtained
for total alkaloids, reducing sugars, and
chlorine. The tobacco K grades were much
lower in neophytadiene than the correspond-
ing lemon or orange grades.

Changes in leaf chemistry during curing

Carbohydrate constituents of the leaf,
particularly starch, degrade rapidly to simpler
sugars during curing. Starch concentrations
of up to 50% of dry weight of green leaf at the
upper stalk positions declined to a concentra-
tion of 1-2% at the end of curing. Sugars
from starch degradation increased to 25-30%
at mid-curing stage and then decreased to
about 16-18% for leaves of middle and upper
stalk positions by the end of curing.

GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING

Haploidy studies

A total of 275 doubled haploid lines have
been developed in the haploidy program. Most
doubled haploid lines tended to be less vigor-
ous following diploidization, but in the S2
generation complete vigor was restored; there-
fore, most evaluations are now conducted in
the S2 generation.

Path coefficient analysis

Multiple linear regression and path coeffi-
cient analyses were applied to a number of
agronomic, chemical, and physical charac-
teristics to establish a cause-and-effect rela-
tionship with wet tar and nicotine in smoke.
Over a wide range of flue-cured genotypes,
wet tar was found to be dependent primarily
on leaf total alkaloids and lamina weight. The
negative effects of two agronomic variables,
days to flower and topping height, on smoke

RESEARCH STATION, DELHI, ONT.

wet tar were completely mediated through
leaf total alkaloids and lamina weight. Smoke
nicotine was essentially determined by three
variables (R: = 88%): total particulate
matter (TPM), leaf total alkaloid, and lamina
weight.

Genetic resistance to blue mold

Observations on about 350 lines demon-
strated that none of the Canadian or U.S.
lines have resistance to blue mold, or toler-
ance, or both. The lines CSIRO-40T and
CS1RO-3T (resistant to only APT I) were
severely infected, whereas Queensland A
(resistant to APT I and APT II) exhibited
considerable tolerance to blue mold. The line
Queensland A and a number of other lines
from various areas of the world will be used in
a breeding and selection program.

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Tobacco stunting

Undefined stunting appears to be due to an
interaction of nematodes, fungi, and soil
conditions. The problem can be alleviated
considerably with the use of fumigant nema-
tocides containing chloropicrin. In a field with
a moderate nematode population and slightly
infested with black root rot, a line immune to
black root rot responded to straight fumigant
nematocides and those containing chloropi-
crin, whereas a relatively tolerant variety and
a susceptible variety responded only to the
fumigant nematocides containing

chloropicrin.

Stem rot: A new disease

Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. was identified
as the causal organism of several severe stem
rot infections in late June and early July.
Apparently this is the first record of the
disease in flue-cured tobacco. Cool, humid
weather increased the severity of the disease.

Blue mold

Application of metalaxyl on experimental
plots protected tobacco plants against blue
mold caused by Peronospora tabacina Adam.
In heavily infected fields the application of
metalaxyl, chlorothalonil, zineb, maneb, or
streptomycin sulfate did not reduce disease
severity. Metalaxyl application in the seedbed

before, at, or after seeding at rates between
0.13 and 1.2 kg/ha protected the seedlings
against natural infection with blue mold.

Conidia of P. tabacina were collected in
spore traps till late November, and viable
conidia were collected in December. Labora-
tory tests proved that 14 consecutive freezings
and thawings reduced the viability of conidia
but did not kill all the conidia tested. Oo-
spores were detected in decomposed leaf
tissue and in large numbers particularly in the
xylem vessels of the leaf.

Weather fleck

In 1977 and 1978 ethylene diurea (EDU)
significantly reduced weather fleck. In 1979,
EDU treatments failed to reduce weather
fleck, possibly due to the use of metalaxyl
during August to protect the experimental
plots against blue mold.

ENTOMOLOGY

Cutworms

Cypermethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, and
trichlorfon were applied to tobacco seedlings
in the greenhouse to determine their effec-
tiveness and biological insecticidal persistence
against the darksided cutworm in Ontario. All
insecticides tested reduced cutworm-damaged
plants and caused high mortality of the
cutworm larvae as compared with the un-
treated check. Cypermethrin, fenvalerate, and
permethrin were more effective and more
persistent than trichlorfon and caused no
visible phytotoxicity to tobacco seedlings.

Aphids

Severe aphid infestation (average of 1200
aphids per leaf) reduced total alkaloids and
reducing sugars and increased total nitrogen
and starch in tobacco leaves. After curing,
heavily infested leaves were brown or black in
color and of poor grade and quality.

Effects of tank mix combinations of
insecticides and sucker control chemicals

A 5 yr test confirmed that all the aphid and
hornworm control chemicals and sucker con-
trol chemicals registered for use on tobacco
are compatible. Tank mix combinations of
these chemicals also had no negative effect on
yield or quality of flue-cured tobacco.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Cheng, H. H. 1979. Toxicity and biological insecti-
cidal persistence of pyrethroid insecticides for
control of cutworms on tobacco seedlings in the
greenhouse. Tob. Sci. 23:120-122.

Cheng, H. H.; Court, W. A. 1977. Effects of green
peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), on
certain chemical constituents of flue-cured
tobacco. Tob. Sci. 21:134-135.

Gayed, S. K. 1979. The effect of cross-grafting
between immune, tolerant, and susceptible
Nicotiana tabacum cultivars on infection with
Thielaviopsis root rot. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:1181-1183.

Rosa, N. 1979. Pyrolysis and chromatographic
estimation of tobacco alkaloids and neophyta-
diene. J. Chromatogr. 171:419-423.

Walker, E. K.; Zilkey, B. F. 1979. Effect of
cigarette pressure drop and weight and tobacco
stalk position on smoke tar and nicotine yields.
Tob. Sci. 23:87-90.

White, F. H.; Pandeya, R. S.; Dirks, V. A. 1979.
Correlation studies among and between agro-
nomic, chemical, physical and smoke charac-
teristics in flue-cured tobacco {Nicotiana taba-
cum L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1 1 1-120.

Miscellaneous

Gayed, S. K. 1978. The effect of ethylene diurea
(EDU) on weather fleck of tobacco caused
mainly by ozone. Proc. Can. Phytopathol. Soc.

45:35.

Bandeen, J. D.; Harris, R.; Zilkey, B. F. 1979.
Annual weed control in flue-cured tobacco.
117. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. Weeds, East.
Can. Sect. (Abstract).

Bandeen, J. D.; Zilkey, B. F. 1979. Herbicide effect
on yield and quality in flue-cured tobacco in
1978. 118. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. Weeds,
East. Can. Sect. (Abstract).

Cheng, H. H. 1979. Synthetic pyrethroids as
insecticides. The Lighter 49( 1 ):28-3 1 .

Court, W. A.; Elliot, J. M. 1979. Influence of
nitrogen fertilizer on the chemical composition
of flue-cured tobacco. The Brantford Exposi-
tor, Tob. Ed.

Court, W. A.; Elliot, J. M. 1979. Nitrogen has
major plant influence. Tillsonburg News, Tob.
Ed. Sect. 3:8.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. A survey of flue-cured tobacco
grown in Ontario in 1978. Part I: Sugars,
alkaloids, nitrogen and lamina weight. The
Lighter 49(1):9-11.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. Quality of tobacco. Can. Tob.
Grow. 27(7):28-30.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. Effect of height of topping flue-
cured tobacco. Delhi News Record, Tob. Ed.
Sect. A: 15.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. Effects of removing or not
harvesting three bottom leaves. The Simcoe
Reformer, Tob. Ed. Sect. 3:17.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. A new seedbed fertilizer for
tobacco. Tillsonburg News, Tob. Ed. Sect.
2:13.

Elliot, J. M. 1979. Only top sands are in demand.
Tillsonburg News, Tob. Ed. Sect. 2:13.

Gayed, S. K. 1979. The effect of steam-sterilization
on three pathogenic fungi in tobacco seedbeds
in the greenhouse. The Lighter 49(3): 1 4-15.

Gayed, S. K. 1979. Difficulties involved in the
chemical control of pole rot. Delhi News
Record, Tob. Ed. Sect. B:13.

Minshall, R.; Marks, C. F.; Walker, E. K. 1979.
Engineering studies on flue-cured tobacco,
1978. Rep. No. 2, Delhi Eng. Res. Group and
Delhi Res. Stn.

Pandeya, R. S. 1979. Evidence of yield depression
in the first generation doubled haploids from a
flue-cured cultivar. 4th John Innes Symp. and
2nd Int. Haploid Conf. (Abstract).

Pandeya, R. S.; White, F. H. 1979. Developing
varieties to meet market demand. The Lighter
49(3):5-8.

Pandeya, R. S.; White, F. H. 1979. Comparison of
potential new varieties with licensed varieties.
Delhi News Record, Tob. Ed. Sect. B:2.

Rosa, N. 1979. Changes in quality parameters of
tobacco with time. The Lighter 49(3): 10- 13.

Rosa, N. 1979. Alkaloid accumulation in tobacco as
affected by removal of inflorescence. Plant
Physiol. 63(5):47 (Abstract).

Rosa, N. 1979. Tobacco quality and sucker control
chemicals. Simcoe Reformer, Tob. Ed. p. 45.

Rosa, N. 1979. Factors that affect tobacco matur-
ity. The Delhi News Record, Tob. Ed. p. 17.

Walker, E. K. 1979. Potential for use of ethylene
gas in curing. Delhi News Record, Tob. Ed.
Sect. A: 13.

Walker, E. K. 1979. Alternate methods for culture
of flue-cured tobacco seedlings. Simcoe Re-
former, Tob. Ed. Sect. 1 :3.

Walker, E. K. 1979. The use of ethrel in flue-cured
tobacco. Delhi News Record, Tob. Ed. Sect.
A:13.

RESEARCH STATION, DELHI, ONT.

Walker, E. K. 1979. Irrigation of flue-cured to- Zilkey, B. F.; Bandeen, J. D. 1979. The effect of

bacco with gun sprinklers. Rep. No. 1, Delhi herbicides on flue-cured tobacco in Ontario in

Res. Stn. and Delhi Eng. Res. Group. 1977. The Lighter 49(2):24-27.

White, F. H. 1979. Relative performance of new

flue-cured tobacco varieties. The Lighter zilkey B F; pandeya, r. s.; Dirks, V. A.;

49(2):12"16 Poushinsky, G. 1979. Variability for several

White, F. H. 1979. Comparison of Canadian and smoke characteristics as they are influenced by

foreign flue-cured tobacco varieties 1976-77. other leaf variables in flue-cured tobacco. Proc.

Simcoe Reformer, Tob. Ed. Sect. 2:1 1. 33rd Tob. Chem. Res. Conf. p. 6. (Abstract).

78 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Harrow, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. M. Fulton, B.Sc, M.S.A., Ph.D. Director

D. H. Lee Administrative Officer

N. E. B. Gibson-MacDonald,1 B.A., M. A., M.L.S. Librarian

Crop Science

R. I

Buzzell, B.S., Ph.D.
Aylesworth, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Buttery, B.Sc, Ph.D.
M. Colwell,2 B.Agr., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dirks, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Francis, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Teich, B.A., M.S.A., M.Sc, PhD.
Welacky, B.Sc, B.Sc. (Agr.)

Head of Section; Soybean breeding

White bean breeding

Soybean physiology

Economics

Statistics

Corn breeding

Winter wheat breeding

Burley tobacco

Entomology

W. H. Foott, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
W. M. Elliott, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.I.C.
R. P. Jaques, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
R. J. McClanahan, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
B. C. Smith, B.A.

Head of Section; Field crop insects
Fruit and vegetable insects
Insect pathology
Greenhouse insects
Field crop insects

Horticultural and Soil Science

W. I. Findlay, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
E. F. Bolton, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
R. E. C. Layne, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
A. Liptay, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
V. W. Nuttall, B.S.A., MSA.
H. A. Quamme, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. S. Tan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Soil fertility
Soil management
Tree fruit breeding
Vegetable management
Vegetable breeding
Tree fruit breeding
Soil moisture

RESEARCH STATION, HARROW, ONT

Plant Pathology

W. R. Jarvis, B.Sc, Ph.D., D.I.C.
T. R. Anderson, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. G. Bonn, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

B. N. Dhanvantari, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

L. F. Gates, B.A., PhD.

S. Lesage, B.Sc, Ph.D.

J. C. Tu, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

Head of Section; Vegetable diseases
Soybean breeding
Bacterial diseases of fruits and
vegetables

Bacterial diseases of vegetables
Cereal and corn diseases
Pesticide chemistry
White bean diseases

Weed Science and Chemistry

P. B. Marriage, B.Sc, "Ph.D.
J. D. Gaynor, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.
A. S. Hamill, B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. R. Phillips, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
S. E. Weaver, B.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Weed physiology
Environmental chemistry
Weed science
Weed physiology
Weed ecology

Soil Substation, Woodslee, Ont.

J. W. Aylesworth, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Officer in Charge

EXTENSION SERVICES3

J. C. Fisher, B.S.A.
F. Kappel, B.Sc.

Greenhouse and vegetable crops
Fruit and vegetable crops

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.
:Seconded from Policy, Planning, and Economics Branch.
'Provided by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Research Station at Harrow is located in a region with favorable climate and a long
growing season. Fruit, vegetables, and field crops are included in the nine Station research
programs. Rainfall received, or its distribution, during the growing season is inadequate to
meet the needs of all crops in all seasons. During 1979 our season was generally characterized
by cool and wet weather. Many crops responded favorably with record or near-record yields;
however, some crops were adversely affected. Our research is confined primarily to production
problems and includes developing new varieties with superior characters; improving insect,
disease, and weed control practices; and improving soil and crop management practices.

This report provides a brief summary of results obtained in 1979. Further information can
be obtained by writing to: Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Harrow,
Ont. NOR 1G0.

J. M. Fulton
Director

FIELD CROPS

Burley tobacco

Production techniques. Plants from seed-
lings grown in small pots or in Todd cells had
more leaf area at 5 wk after transplanting to
the field, and reached flowering and maturity
sooner, than plants obtained by the standard
method of growing transplants in muck beds.
Yield and grade indices were equal.

Time studies indicated that a rack system
of handling stalk-cut plants reduced the four
or five laborers normally required in the field
to two persons. However, four or more racks
would have to be assembled on a wagon
carrier in order to reduce the time in trans-
porting the plants to the curing barn. Loading
the racks into the barn with a tractor-
mounted, front-end fork lift was done faster
and with less help than the conventional
hanging of sticks of plants by hand. The use
of rack carriages and an electric chain hoist
was more efficient than the fork lift in barn
loading the racks. There were no differences
in leaf quality between rack-hung and conven-
tional-hung tobacco at three different stick
spacings.

Corn

Breeding. A dent inbred line, CH705-8,
was released. It was derived from Funk's
G4220. The line requires 2900 heat units to
mature and possesses good combining ability
for yield, moderate first-brood corn borer
resistance, and excellent stalk strength. In
addition, a report on Harrow hybrid combina-
tions yield tested in 1970-1975 was released

to the corn industry. Several of these hybrids
had superior performance to commercial
check hybrids.

Diseases. In early-planted varieties, good
correlations were obtained between ear
growth rate in the early stages and eventual
stalk rot in October. Stalk rot in late-planted
varieties was more dependent on cultural
conditions.

Herbicide tolerance. Inbred lines showed
significant genetic differences in seedling
injury from recommended rates of the her-
bicide alachlor. Hybrids made up from these
inbreds showed less variation in injury as a
group. The tolerance of a hybrid could not be
efficiently predicted from the tolerance of its
inbred parents.

Insects. A single-cross corn hybrid which
has resistance to the first generation of a
multivoltine strain of the European corn borer
was compared with a hybrid which is suscep-
tible to both generations, and differences
which might occur in the biology of the borer
and in yield were observed. In southwestern
Ontario the second generation is the more
important of the two. There are no commer-
cial hybrids resistant to the second generation.

In the initial year of study the mortality of
first-generation eggs was low on both hybr Is,
but larval survival and plant damage was
considerably higher on the susceptible hybrid.
Egg mortality in the second generation was
also low for both hybrids, but larval mortality
was high in each instance, due mainly to a
long period of drought. There was no evidence

RESEARCH STATION. HARROW, ONT.

that the resistant hybrid was more subject to
infestation by the second generation.

A small number of second-generation egg
masses were parasitized by Trichogramma
minutum Riley. This is the first report of the
insect in this area in recent years.

Mean density of larvae of the northern corn
rootworm, Diabrotica longicornis (Say), in
plots not treated with insecticide in southwest-
ern Ontario from 1975 to 1978 was 6.3 per
plant and mean loss of grain corn yield was
0.7 t/ha. Soil treatments of 10% carbofuran
and phorate applied at a rate of 1.0 kg/ha
reduced rootworm populations by 2.9 larvae
per plant and increased yield by 14.2%. The
insecticides were similar in their effects on the
mortality of larvae. Dry soil conditions re-
duced larval density and the efficacy of soil
insecticides.

Aerial photographs taken from 1969 to
1975 indicated that there was about half as
much cropland in corn near Hensall as near
Kent Bridge. There was more than twice as
much continuous corn near Kent Bridge than
near Hensall, and estimated yield losses were
3. 1 -5.5% and 1 . 1 -2.8%, respectively.

Liming corn rotations. Lime applications
applied to Brookston clay soil in 1951 pro-
duced improved soil tilth occurring 20 yr
later, as evidenced by increased pore space.
On most rotations and on continuous corn, soil
pore space was about 25% greater where lime
had been applied.

Relation of factors to yield. Regression
studies on effect of soil and plant measure-
ments on yield at Woodslee showed that levels
of N and K, soil compaction, and soil mois-
ture were the most important factors deter-
mining yield differences under several man-
agement systems. Other significant factors
were rotation, heat units, rainfall, and mois-
ture-stress days. The maximum response to
favorable climate was obtained with a rota-
tion which included alfalfa, fertilizer, and
good soil tilth.

Soil fertility. Studies continued, in cooper-
ation with the University of Windsor, on loss
of nitrogen into the atmosphere from fertil-
ized corn plots. Evolution of nitrous oxide was
shown to occur within a few days of fertilizer
application and to continue for several
months. This loss, however, only amounted to
0.25% of the nitrogen applied. Simultaneous
loss of nitrogen in other gaseous forms needs
to be measured.

Weed control. As a result of herbicide
evaluation research, cyanazine plus dicamba
will be recommended either preemergence or
postemergence for general weed control in
corn. Bromoxynil or dicamba may now be
used for broad-leaved weed control, particu-
larly for the triazine-resistant weeds.

Weed physiology. Differential growth and
response to atrazine were examined in green-
house experiments with atrazine-susceptible
and atrazine-resistant lamb's-quarters popu-
lations from across Ontario. Germination
differences did not appear to account for the
predominance of susceptible populations in
areas that had not been treated with triazine
herbicides. Although population differences in
early growth were observed, variations in rate
of growth following the seedling stage re-
sulted in young plants of more or less equiv-
alent size. Population differences in time to
maturation, biomass production, and repro-
ductive effort were correlated with geographic
location. Susceptible populations showed
marked decreases in plant weight, height, and
leaf number with atrazine at 0.5 kg/ha,
whereas resistant populations tolerated 5 kg/
ha. Atrazine had less effect on certain suscep-
tible populations compared with others, and
this may be important in altering the field
composition of lamb's-quarters populations
when atrazine is used, although change would
be expected to be slow.

Soybeans

Breeding. Tests of advanced lines and
varieties showed that heritabilities for matur-
ity, plant height, and yield tended to be as
high in microplots (five or six plants per hill)
as in row plots (four rows 5 m long), thereby
indicating that experimental variability was
similar in hill and row plots. However, in each
of 2 yr, yield performance of entries in hill
plots was not correlated with their perform-
ance in row plots (r = 0.07 and r = 0.01).
Thus, selecting for yield in hill plots might not
select those lines best suited for row produc-
tion.

The application of 2,4-DB herbicide during
pod-filling appears to stress the soybean plant
and makes susceptible/tolerant varieties more
likely to be killed by Phytophthora
megasperma Drechsl. var. sojae Hildebrand.
The herbicide does not affect disease-resistant
varieties. Therefore, this herbicide can be
used to increase the disease severity and aid in
selecting tolerant cultivars.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Canada thistle control. Fields of soybean
stubble heavily infested with Canada thistle
were treated with glyphosate at 2.25 kg/ha in
the spring of 1978 (26 May and 3 June).
Soybeans were planted 7-10 days later,
following tillage operations, and excellent
thistle control was observed in the 1978
soybean crop at both locations. In 1979,
Canada thistle control was 98% at both
locations, one planted to soybeans and ob-
served in June, and one planted to winter
wheat and observed in stubble in September.
In addition, a large field treated in the spring
of 1977 was virtually free from thistles in
1979.

Economic analysis of tile drainage.
Soybean producers on Brookston clay soil
with widely spaced drains should reduce the
spacing of drains to a minimum of between 9
and 1 2 m in preference to very close spacings.
In general, financial returns from simulated
continuous soybeans at a given reduction in
drain spacing were higher than for continuous
grain corn because recent soybean/corn price
ratios were favorable to soybeans.

Herbicide incorporation. Incorporation of
trifluralin plus metribuzin by disc or s-tine
implement had no effect on efficacy of the
herbicides. S-tine incorporated the herbicides
to a shallower depth than the disc which
permitted volatile losses of trifluralin up to
52% of that applied compared to a maximum
of 15% on disced soil. Chisel or mold-board
plowing in the fall had no effect on herbicide
degradation or efficacy. Chisel plowing
opened the soil to a greater depth than mold-
board plowing which resulted in 3% higher
water content at 1 5 cm.

Pathology. Results of a survey of 36
soybean fields indicate that races of Phy-
tophthora megasperma Drechsl. var. sojae
Hildebrand have not changed during the past
5 yr. Average incidence of diseased plants in
growers' fields was less than 1% and was
correlated with increased fertilizer applica-
tions and decreased soil drainage.

Velvetleaf control. Bentazon provides ex-
cellent velvetleaf control when applied poste-
mergence to the weed, but greenhouse studies
confirmed field observations that preemer-
gence control also exists. Velvetleaf was
controlled by bentazon at 5 /Xg/g soil when
placed in or below the seed zone but not above
the seed. Thus bentazon application can be
optimized to control more difficult weed

species such as pigweed and lamb's-quarters
without losing efficacy for velvetleaf control,
provided later precipitation leaches the her-
bicide to the seed zone.

Weed control. Three-way combinations of
herbicides provided promising overall weed
control. Preemergence weed control depends
on soil moisture and was poor due to lack of
rain. Weed control in broadcast and drilled
soybeans was equal, but the latter had a
better and more competitive stand.

White beans

Anthracnose. Two approaches were taken
to control the disease delta race of Colletot-
richum lindemuthianum, namely (/) seed
treatment with a benomyl formulation and
(2) a backcross breeding program for disease
resistance. Subsequently, it was found that
the fungus developed tolerance to benomyl
readily by forming sclerotium-like structures
and by developing biotypes capable of radiat-
ing mycelial growth in benomyl at 500 fig/
mL. Thirteen such biotypes were isolated and
characterized in 1979. Thus, a backcross
breeding program coupled with screening for
disease resistance offers a more permanent
solution (see "Breeding").

Bacterial blight. A new experimental com-
pound, KT- 19827, was found to be of poten-
tial value in seed disinfection. Seventy to
100% disinfection from the blight organism,
Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (Smith
1897) Dye 1978, was effected by the com-
pound at rates of 0.32-0.65 g/kg of seed
without adverse effects on seed germination.
Minimum inhibitory concentration of the
compound to strains of blight bacteria was
62.5-125 jLtg/mL in vitro.

Significant reduction in number of pods,
filled pods, seeds, and seed weight resulted
from artificial field inoculations of cv. Sea-
farer with blight bacteria 4 wk after planting.
Three weekly sprays of Kocide-101 (Kennecot
Copper Corp., 86% cupric hydroxide), at a
rate of 1.12 kg/ha beginning from a month
after artificial field inoculations, resulted in
less pod infection and an increase of filled
pods, seeds, and seed weight.

Breeding. In the greenhouse, 36 tolerant
lines were selected from screening 877 lines.
In the field, six preliminary selections and two
advanced selections were tolerant. In the
observation rows, 77 lines showed varying
degrees of tolerance.

RESEARCH STATION. HARROW. ONT.

The "Are" gene for resistance to bean
anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum linde-
muthianum, has been transferred from P.I.
326418 to Seafarer, Kentwood, and Fleet-
wood using six backcrosses. This gene confers
resistance to the alpha, beta, gamma, and
delta races of the fungus. These varieties did
have resistance to the alpha, beta, and gamma
races but not to the delta race which appeared
in Ontario in 1976. The original varieties
sometimes showed very small lesions when
inoculated with the alpha, beta, and gamma
races, whereas the new varieties are immune
to all four races. Seed has been obtained from
homozygous resistant, backcross-derived
lines.

Viruses. A high incidence of mosaic dis-
eases of white beans was observed in southern
Ontario. Two severely affected fields had 35
and 80% of the disease incidence; yield loss in
them approximated up to 26 and 40%, respec-
tively. The causal viruses were isolated and
identified as a severe strain of tobacco ring-
spot virus (TRSV-S) and a strain of bean
yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). All currently
recommended cultivars (Fleetwood, Kent-
wood, Sanilac, and Seafarer) are susceptible
to both viruses. The white-seeded bean cvs.
Amanda, Great Northern (GN) Ul-34, GN
U 1 - 1 23, and I muna were found to be resistant
to both.

White mold. Of 82 fields surveyed, 42 had
white mold. Severity in 1979 appeared to be
related to cool-wet summer months. Foliar
sprays of benomyl, chlorthalonil, and thio-
phanate were effective in controlling this
disease, although timing and delivery of spray
require investigation to maximize chemical
control.

Winter wheat

Breeding. Promising winter wheat strains
have been developed which combine high
yield, resistance to wheat spindle streak
mosaic, lodging resistance, and acceptable
test weight. The five best lines had 14% yield
advantage over Fredrick, the commonly
grown cultivar. Other lines have been devel-
oped which are resistant to some forms of
winter stress, have improved nutritional value,
or have genes associated with high
productivity.

Diseases. Selections are being made from
crosses of commercial cultivars with the
cultivar Halytchanka, which is resistant to

wheat spindle streak mosaic. Two lines were
entered in the Ontario screening test.

HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Field vegetables
Asparagus

Time of seedling setting. A new technique
for establishing asparagus fields involves
seeding asparagus in the field and then at a
later date lowering the seedling the required
15-20 cm into the soil. A 3 yr study suggested
that a late-summer lowering of asparagus
seedlings during the year in which they were
seeded has some advantage over a spring
treatment 1 yr after seeding. If, however, a
grower wishes to wait for a spring setting then
a very early treatment has definite advantages
over a setting in the late spring.

Beet

Bed seeding equipment. A disk-opener,
multi-row seeder (18 rows per metre) was
developed in conjunction with the Engineering
and Statistical Research Institute for high-
density seeding of root crops. Seed germina-
tion was uniform within the rows and between
the rows. The furrowing effects, often very
pronounced with other bank seeders, was at
acceptable minimal levels.

Crucifer crops

Chinese cabbage protection. The recom-
mendations for root maggot control in cab-
bage and cauliflower proved inadequate for
Chinese cabbage, since the developing heads
provided sites for oviposition by second-
generation flies. Sprays applied every 10 days
gave only 60% clean heads.

Insect control by pathogens. Viruses and/or
Bacillus thuringiensis were applied when
numbers of cabbage looper and cabbageworm
exceeded preestablished thresholds. This
study, initiating development of an integrated
pest management program for crucifer crops,
demonstrated the benefit of treatment based
on monitoring; seven applications of microbial
insecticide were required at Harrow where
populations of these leaf-eating pests were
high, whereas only three applications were
required at Cambridge where populations of
the pests, especially the cabbage looper, were
comparatively low.

Selection for fast- and slow-killing strains
of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

cabbage looper over 20 serial passages in host
larvae by ingestion yielded strains of virus
that killed in 5.5 and 9.5 days after ingestion
of the virus compared to 6.0 days by the
unselected strain. Inability to select a strain
that killed faster than the wild virus would be
expected, because selection in nature would
be for the fastest-killing strain.

Studies at the University of Guelph sup-
ported by a Harrow-sponsored EMR grant
showed that the parasitoid Apanteles glom-
eratus can transmit granulosis virus from
virus-diseased to healthy larvae of the im-
ported cabbageworm.

Cucumber

Breeding and testing. Fourteen Harrow F,
hybrid picklers were evaluated in on-Station
and off-Station trials. Harrow 77.01 and
78.05 gave the best overall performance in
terms o( productivity and fresh and salt-stock
quality. It is anticipated that 77.01 and 78.05
will be named and introduced in 1980. Both
hybrids are highly tolerant to angular leaf
spot, Pseudomonas lachrymans (Sm. &
Bryan) Carsner, and to cucumber mosaic
virus and are resistant to scab, Cladosporium
cueumerinum Ell. & Arth.

Peppers

Forecasting corn borer damage. Forecasts
of corn borer damage from the number of
moths caught in one light trap were shown to
be significantly better than forecasts from five
pheromone traps. The product obtained from
multiplying the number oï moths by the
average age of female moths, estimated by
dissection, was more closely correlated with
subsequent damage than the number of moths
used alone.

Insect control. European corn borer and
green peach aphids were effectively controlled
by regular sprays of five insecticides. The best
were acephate, fenvalerate, and profenofos.
An experimental insect growth regulator,
BAY SIR 8514 (Mobay), gave borer control
but did not affect aphids.

Potatoes

Aphid control and yields. About equal
numbers of green peach aphids and potato
aphids were controlled by sprays of pirimicarb
or methamidophos, or a granular application
of aldicarb. There was an inverse relation
between aphid numbers per 100 leaves and
the resulting yield.

Sweet corn

Forecasting corn borer populations.
Studies showed that the population of borers
in sweet corn plants could be forecast from
catches of moths of the previous generation
3-5 wk earlier, using the same methods as for
peppers.

Insect control. The second generation of
European corn borer was well controlled by a
number of insecticides applied on a flexible
schedule depending on the number of corn
borer moths flying. Early sweet corn varieties
showed an interesting range of susceptibility
to first-generation borers.

Tomatoes

Bacterial speck. Following a serious out-
break of bacterial speck (causal agent Pseu-
domonas tomato) in fresh-market and
processing tomatoes in 1978, tomato trans-
plants raised in local greenhouses were sus-
pected to be an inoculum source. A survey by
questionnaire of greenhouses in Essex and
Kent counties in 1979 revealed that bacterial
speck occurred on some of the transplants in a
few greenhouses in mid-May. The disease
seemed to be associated with exposure of the
plants to the weather elements, as green-
houses are opened in early May. Although
disease-free transplants (both local and im-
ported plants) were field planted, another
survey indicated that local transplants were
more susceptible to bacterial speck in the field
than the imported plants.

Direct seeding of tomatoes on clay. A
direct-seeding experiment, repeated in 1979,
again showed that processing tomatoes (cv.
Quinte) could be established satisfactorily on
Brookston clay soil by using combined tech-
niques such as pregerminated seed, plug-mix
planting, and fall-prepared beds. For com-
mercial application, delayed maturity and
weed control problems should be overcome by
using suitable early cultivars and recently
developed chemical weed-control methods.

Field-seeding methods. Evaluation of four
seeding methods showed that when the seed is
dispensed in a water-retaining gel which is
placed at the bottom of the furrow and then
covered with an anticrustant plug mix (gel -
plug mix seeding technique), superior rates of
emergence and superior final field germina-
tion percentages were obtained than when
planet junior (raw seed), plug mix, or gel
seeder seeding methods were used.

RESEARCH STATION, HARROW, ONT.

Georgia-grown transplants. Since Georgian
tomato transplants are now being machine
harvested, all seedlings, even the very thin-
stemmed ones that would have normally been
discarded with hand harvest, are included in
the shipment to Ontario. It was determined
that the very thick-stemmed transplants gave
higher early yields than either the normal or
thin-stemmed transplants. It was also shown
that ethephon spraying of thick-stemmed
transplants a few days prior to pulling in
Georgia further increased early yields over
their control counterparts.

Herbicide tolerance. In fresh-market toma-
toes, it was shown that metribuzin applied
between 10 and 30 days after transplanting
had no detrimental effect on the crop yield.

Irrigation schedule. Irrigation schedules to
maintain 50% available soil moisture (ASM)
on* Fox sandy loam for processing tomatoes
were obtained from soil-moisture and climate-
based approaches. Good agreement was found
between irrigation schedules estimated by
these two approaches. Daily maximum and
minimum air temperatures, sunshine dura-
tion, and rainfall during the growing season
are required for climate-based irrigation
schedules.

Pesticide residues. Copper and ethylenebis-
(dithiocarbamate) (EBDC) fungicides gave
effective control of bacterial speck (Pseudo-
monas tomato) on field tomatoes. The inter-
ference of cupric ions on the analysis of
EBDC residues in tomato juice was quanti-
tated. An in vitro study on the thermal
degradation of EBDC fungicides in aqueous
solution showed that the addition of cupric
ions prevents the formation of ethylenethio-
urea which is a known carcinogen and
teratogen.

Plant population density and irrigation.
Yields of marketable tomatoes reached a
maximum in the plants irrigated at 50% ASM
when the fruits were rapidly enlarging. The
plants which received more applications of
irrigation water (50% ASM throughout the
growing season) did not produce any further
increase in yield. High density (43 054 plants
per hectare) of H2653 variety outyielded low
density (10 765 plants per hectare) by 108%
and outyielded medium density (21 527
plants per hectare) by 40%; medium density
outyielded low density by 40%. High density
(21 527 plants per hectare) of C28 outyielded
low density (10 765 plants per hectare) by

22%. Measurements of plant water status (i.e.
leaf water potential and stomatal conduct-
ance) indicated that plants in a high popula-
tion had equal availability of water for growth
as compared with low-population density
plants. Irrigation throughout the growing
season delayed the fruit maturity. On the
other hand, high-population density advanced
maturity.

Seed vigor acquisition. Seed vigor acquisi-
tion as affected by weed competition at
various stages of tomato seed development
was studied, The conclusion derived from this
3 yr study was that weedy treatments which
significantly suppressed tomato yield actually
increased the percentage of tomato seeds with
high vigor. This result likely suggests that
under conditions of severe competition, to-
mato seeds of all the plant parts appear to
have the highest priority for growth
substrates.

Weed competition. The yield of trans-
planted tomatoes was negatively correlated
with weed dry weight per unit area at harvest.
Tomato yields from plots weeded only once,
36 days after transplanting, or 24 days after
transplanting followed by a layby application
of chloramben were not significantly reduced
from weed-free plots. Sequential harvests
showed that transplanted tomatoes entered
the exponential growth phase approximately
33 days after transplanting. In weed-infested
plots the total dry weight of tomatoes and
weeds combined, per unit area, was equal to
that of tomatoes in weed-free plots
throughout the growing season.

Weed ecology. Green pigweed (Amaran-
thus powellii) has recently become the most
common pigweed species. Both green pigweed
and smooth pigweed (A. hybridus) have a
greater root, shoot, leaf, and seed dry weight
at maturity than redroot pigweed {A. retrof-
lexus), formerly the most common pigweed
species. When the three species are grown
together, green pigweed has the greatest
competitive ability as measured by both
biomass and numbers. The relative competi-
tive ability of redroot pigweed when grown
with lamb's-quarters or green foxtail depends
upon soil pH, being greater at pH 7.5 but
lower at pH 5.5.

Yellow nut sedge development and control.
The control of yellow nut sedge, a perennial
weed, by glyphosate and bentazon was studied
in greenhouse and field trials. Although

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

bentazon is quite effective on juvenile tissue,
the tubers produced from treated plants do
not indicate any abnormalities in dormancy or
sprouting characteristics. One application of
bentazon will not prevent tuber formation but
only delay or reduce the rate of production.
Upon glyphosate treatment there is cessation
of tuber initiation, necrosis of rhizome tips,
and prevention of nascent tubers from matur-
ing, as well as inhibition of sprouting of tubers
which matured immediately prior to applica-
tion. Application of glyphosate after final
tomato harvest and prior to fall tillage may be
beneficial.

The dormancy of yellow nut sedge tubers is
altered by natural endogenous plant hormones
and can be deepened by the exposure of
tubers to cold, nonlethal temperatures. The
presence of moisture offers protection to the
tubers from freezing lethal temperaures.

Several biotypes of yellow nut sedge have
been identified which vary in floral charac-
teristics, leaf width, and seed, tuber, and
shoot production, as well as in herbicide
sensitivity.

Tuber production occurs almost exclusively
in the top 30 cm of soil, with 60% in the top
10 cm. Destruction of a yellow nut sedge plant
by harrowing may give rise to fragmented
plant parts. The rhizomes of this plant do not
regenerate new plants, unlike rhizomes of
quack grass.

Greenhouse vegetables
Cucumber

Breeding and testing. Through backcross-
ing and outcrossing and growing out larger
segregating populations, the linkage was
broken between dull fruit and resistance to
powdery mildew, Sphaerotheca fuliginea
(Schlect. ex Fr.) Poll. This has made possible
the combination of tolerance to cucumber
mosaic virus and powdery mildew in seedless
lines that bear glossy and bitterfree fruits.

Mite control. Populations of two-spotted
mites from different greenhouses varied in
their resistance to common acaricides. Mites
from the Harrow Research Station were
controlled with cyhexatin, oxythioquinox, and
Pentac (Hooker Chemicals).

The predacious mite Phytoseiulus persimi-
lis Athias-Henriot provided reasonable mite
control in demonstration greenhouses until
June, when conditions favored the mites.

Tomatoes

Fusarium foot and root rot. Early steaming
(August-September) followed by lettuce, and
late steaming (December) followed by plant-
ing in January, resulted in 13% infected
plants in the early-steamed plots compared to
56% in the late-steamed ones. Combined foot
and root rot ratings (0-5 scale) were 0.17 and
1.35, respectively.

Screening of material continued for Dr. E.
A. Kerr's breeding program at the Horticul-
tural Institute of Ontario, Simcoe.

Tree fruits

Apples and pears

Fire blight. Field inoculation experiments
using nine local isolates of Erwinia amylovora
(the causal agent of fire blight) on actively
growing shoots of mature apple and pear
trees, chosen for their range of susceptibili-
ties, showed no distinct differences in their
pathogenicity.

Controlled inoculation studies in the field
over two successive seasons showed that the
size-controlling apple rootstocks M26,
MM106, and MM111 did not greatly influ-
ence the fire blight susceptibility of several
popular scions budded onto them. Although a
small significant interaction between scion
cultivar and rootstock was observed, it was
not large enough to overcome the strong
influence of the cultivar itself on the fire
blight susceptibility of young trees.

Apricot

Breeding. A new cultivar named Harogem,
formerly tested as HW405, was introduced in
1979. This is a mid- to late-season cultivar
with exceptionally attractive, medium-sized
fruit with very firm flesh of high quality, best
suited for the fresh market. It has a good level
of cold hardiness combined with adequate
resistance to brown rot, Monilia fructicola
(Wint.) Honey, and perennial canker, Leucos-
toma spp. The fruits do not drop readily even
when fully ripe and resist cracking after
heavy rains. Several selections now fruiting in
regional trials, especially HW407, HW410,
and HW425, offer sufficient promise that
further releases are expected soon.

RESEARCH STATION. HARROW, ONT.

Nectarine

Breeding. In 1979, controlled freezing tests
were conducted with five progenies from
crosses made in 1973 and their parents. None
of the F, seedlings were hardier than the
hardy parent but 10-48% were as hardy as
the hardy parent. Two selections were propa-
gated for entry in regional trials in 1980,
namely HW103 and HW104. Both selections
appear to have much improved appearance,
size, firmness, and quality combined with
adequate hardiness and disease tolerance.

Peaches

Breeding. Two progenies in which H 523
was used as the ancestral source of flesh
firmness segregated for four flavor types: high
sugar -I- high acid, high sugar -I- low acid,
low sugar + high acid, and low sugar 4- low
acid. Eleven new selections were made that
have the proper flavor balance combined with
very firm, nonoxidizing flesh and will be
tested for cold hardiness, processing ability,
and other characters next year.

Several very promising early-, mid-, and
late-season selections for the fresh market
were advanced into regional trials, and two
canning clingstone selections with superior
quality and resistance to bacterial spot,
Xanthomonas pruni (E.F. Sm.) Dows., than
Babygold 5 have been propagated for regional
trials.

Canker. Larvae of the lesser peach tree
borer, Synanthedon pictipes (Grote and Rob-
inson), were found to be active in a majority
of peach cankers surveyed. The larvae carried
the canker fungi Leucocytospora cincta
(Sacc.) Hohn. and L. leucostoma (Pers.)
Hohn. In an experimental setup, application
of special sprays recommended for the borer
control not only reduced the number of the
borer-infested cankers in the important trunk
and scaffold area, but also resulted in in-
creased number of healed cankers in the
following year.

Irrigation schedules. Irrigation schedules
based on climatological data were almost
identical to those based on measurement of
soil moisture with a neutron probe. Daily
inputs required for climate-based irrigation
schedules are maximum and minimum air
temperatures, sunshine duration, and rainfall
and are available from local weather data.
The simple climate-based irrigation schedules
can be used to accurately predict the optimum

time and amount of irrigation water a crop
requires for maximum yields, thereby increas-
ing the potential net returns to the grower.

Marketable yields during the first 7 yr of
growth were increased by 9% as the result of
supplemental irrigation. The highest tree
density (536 trees per hectare) outyielded
traditional spacings (266 trees per hectare) by
74% while intermediate density (358 trees per
hectare) outyielded traditional spacings by
32%. High density also outyielded medium
density treatments by 31%. Neither irrigation
nor density treatments adversely affected cold
hardiness, disease incidence, or fruit quality.

Measurement of available soil moisture
from depths of 20 to 277.5 cm during the
growing season indicated that as the season
progressed and as soil moisture in unirrigated
plots was depleted in the upper soil horizon, a
greater proportion of the water requirement
of the trees was met by withdrawal of water
from below 180 cm. Irrigated trees used water
stored in the soil horizons above 180 cm. This
result also suggested that the root systems in
7 yr old trees in unirrigated plots were able to
exploit soil moisture reserves near the water
table. They were unable to do so earlier, when
trees were younger and the root systems were
less well developed.

Orchard management. A trial of four
hedgerow systems- was terminated in its 11th
year. Highest cumulative yields were obtained
with the oblique fan hedgerow at a density of
448 trees per hectare in which component
trees were 3 m high and 1.5 m wide. This
sytem outyielded by 35% a more conventional
open centered system in which the component
trees were 3 m high and 3 m wide and were at
a density of 383 trees per hectare. The
second-best system was the central leader
hedgerow in which the trees were at a density
of 536 trees per hectare and component trees
were 3 m high and 3 m wide. The central
leader system outyielded the check by 20%.
The canted oblique fan system at a density of
746 trees per hectare with component trees
being 3 m high and 2 m wide outyielded the
check by only 2%.

Peach X-disease vectors. Two leafhopper
vectors, in addition to the five species already
known from the Ruthven outbreak area, have
been identified. Adults of Scaphoideus tita-
nus Ball and S. melanotus Osborn were
trapped in flight from late July to early

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

October and in the month of August, respec-
tively, both species going through one genera-
tion per year and being most numerous in the
3rd wk of August. The vector species and six
harmless Scaphoideus species were princi-
pally found in a woodlot with diseased
chokecherry bushes, but a few adults dis-
persed into a peach orchard at the end of the
flight period.

Weed control. Good broad-leaved and
annual grass control was achieved with
preemergence application of granular sima-
zine plus oryzalin, but no increase in tree
growth as measured from trunk diameter was
noted. Treatments with granular simazine
plus oxadiazon did not control annual grasses,
and simazine plus napropamide failed to
control broad-leaved weeds. Periodic weed
counts throughout the growing season indi-
cated germinated weeds were controlled up to
July. This suggested that the failure to
measure an increase in tree trunk diameter
was due to weed escapes from germinated but
unemerged weeds prior to herbicide applica-
tion instead of herbicide injury to the trees.
The results indicate that full benefit of
preemergence herbicides may not be realized

if herbicide application is not immediately
preceded by cultivation.

MISCELLANEOUS

Grape crown gall

The "vinifera" grape cultivars Pinot Char-
donnay, Gamay Beaujolais, and Riesling
showed heavy incidence of aerial galls, often
associated with mortality, in some Ontario
vineyards. The disease was confirmed to be
crown gall. Morphological, physiological and
biochemical, and pathogenicity tests showed
that the grape crown gall organism, Agrobac-
terium radiobacter pv. tumefaciens (Sm. &
Towns. 1907) Kerr et al. 1978, belongs to a
new biotype other than those affecting stone
fruits and apple.

Deep tillage of soils

Analysis of a depth of plowing experiment
at Woodslee by climatically similar seasons
indicated that deep plowing had no beneficial
effects on soil compaction in the years in
which a reduction was most needed. Climatic
factors determined soil tilth and condition.
There appears to be no justification for the
input in equipment and energy required -for
deep tillage.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Alex, J. F.; McLaren, R. D.; Hamill, A. S. 1979.
Occurrence and winter survival of johnson-
grass {Sorghum halepense) in Ontario. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:1173-1176.

Allen, W. R.; Dirks, V. A. 1979. The use of
rapeseed oil to reduce premature defoliation in
sweet cherry sprayed with bordeaux mixture
for control of bacterial canker. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:487-489.

Anderson, T. R.; Patrick, Z. A. 1978. Mycophagous
amoeboid organisms from soil that perforate
spores of Thielaviopsis basicola and Cochliob-
olus sativus. Phytopathology 68:1618-1626.

Bolton, E. F.; Dirks, V. A.; Findlay, W. 1. 1979.
Effect of lime on corn yield, soil tilth, and leaf
nutrient content for five cropping systems on
Brookston clay soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:225-
230.

Bolton, E. F.; Dirks, V. A.; Findlay, W. I. 1979.
Some relationships between soil porosity, leaf
nutrient composition, and yield for certain corn
rotations at two fertility levels on Brookston
clay. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1-9.

Bonn, W. G. 1979. Fire blight bacteria in symptom-
less dormant apple and pear buds. Can. J.
Plant Pathol. 1:61-62.

Buzzell, R. I. 1978. Registration of Harcor
soybeans. Crop Sci. 18:915.

Chu, W. H.; Jaques, R. P. 1979. Pathologie d'une
microsporidiose de Tarpenteuse du chou, Tri-
choplusia ni (Lep.: Noctuidae), par Vairimor-
pha necatrix. Entomophaga 24:229-235.

Dhanvantari, B. N. 1978. Cold predisposition of
dormant peach twigs to nodal cankers caused
by Leucostoma spp. Phytopathology 68:1779-
1783.

RESEARCH STATION, HARROW, ONT.

Elliott. W. M.; Dirks, V. A. 1979. Postmating age
estimates for female European corn borer
moths, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyrali-
dae) using time-related changes in spermato-
phores. Can. Entomol. 111:1325-1335.

Findlay. W. I.; McKenney, D. J. 1979. Direct
measurement of nitrous oxide flux from soil.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:413-421.

Foott, W. H.; Timmins, P. R. 1977. Biology of
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Coleoptera:
Nitidulidae) in southwestern Ontario. Proc.
Entomol. Soc. Ont. 108:37-44.

Foott, W. H.; Timmins, P. R. 1977. Observations
on new insect pests of grain corn in Essex
County, Ontario. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont.
108:49-52.

Foott, W. H.; Timmins, P. R. 1979. The rearing
and biology of Glischrochilus quadrisignatus
(Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in the laboratory.
Can. Entomol. 111:1337-1344.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Protection of snap beans from
substituted urea injury by prior treatment with
dinitroaniline herbicides. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:535-537.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed interference in trans-
planted tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum).
Weed Sci. 27:11-13.

Gaynor, J. D. 1979. Soil degradation of wastewater
sludges containing chemical précipitants. En-
viron. Pollut. 20:57-64.

Gaynor, J. D.; Layne, R. E. C. 1979. Captan
deposition in peach orchard hedgerows. J. Am.
Soc. Hortic. Sci. 104:330-332.

Jarvis, W. R.; Shoemaker, R. A. 1978. Taxonomic
status of Fusarium oxysporum causing foot
and root rot of tomato. Letter to the Editor.
Phytopathology 68:1679-1680.

Khan, S. U.; Marriage, P. B. 1979. Residues of
simazine and hydroxysimazine in an orchard
soil. Weed Sci. 27:238-241.

Khan, S. U.; Marriage, P. B. 1979. Uptake of
glyphosate and N-nitrosoglyphosate from soil
by oat plants. J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:1398-
1400.

Layne, R. E. C. 1979. 'Harland' peach. Hort-
Science 14:194.

Marshall, W. D.; Jarvis, W. R. 1979. Procedures
for the removal of field residues of ethylenebis-
(dithiocarbamate) (EBDC) fungicide and eth-
ylenethiourea (ETU) from tomatoes prior to
processing into juice. J. Agric. Food Chem.
27:766-769.

McClanahan, R. J. 1978. Toxicity of insecticides to
larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera
frugiperda. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont. 109:61-
64.

Mortimore, C. G.; Gates, L. F. 1979. A genetically-
controlled necrotic spotting of corn leaves.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:147-152.

Reid, W. S.; Nicholls, C. G.; Layne, R. E. C. 1979.
A mechanical device for cracking Prunus pits.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:903-907.

Tan, C. S.; Black, T. A.; Nnyamah, J. E. 1978. A
simple diffusion model of transpiration applied
to a thinned Douglas-fir stand. Ecology
59:1221-1229.

Tu, J. C. 1979. Alterations in chloroplast and cell
membranes associated with cAMP-induced
dissociation of starch grains in clover yellow
mosaic virus infected clover. Can. J. Bot.
57:360-369.

Tu, J. C. 1979. Alterations in the membranes of
bacteroidal cells in soybean root nodules as
revealed by freeze-fracturing. Physiol. Plant
Pathol. 15:35-41.

Tu, J. C. 1979. Biochemical and histochemical
investigation of diurnal variation in cAMP
concentration and adenylate cyclase activity in
white Dutch clover. Protoplasma 99:139-146.

Tu, J. C. 1979. Evidence of differential tolerance
among some root rot fungi to rhizobial parasit-
ism in vitro. Physiol. Plant Pathol. 1 4: 1 7 1 - 1 77.

Tu, J. C. 1979. Temperature-induced variations in
cytoplasmic inclusions in clover yellow mosaic
virus-infected alsike clover. Physiol. Plant
Pathol. 14:113-116.

Tu, J. C; Jarvis, W. R. 1979. Ontogeny, organi-
zation and longevity of sclerotium-like struc-
tures produced by Colletotrichum linde-
muthianum in the presence of benomyl. Can.
J. Plant Pathol. 1:17-22.

Tu, J. C; Jarvis, W. R. 1979. Response of Colletot-
richum lindemuthianum to benomyl. Can. J.
Plant Pathol. 1:12-16.

Tu, J. C; Malhotra, S. K. 1978. Plasma membrane
of Phycomyces: sequential change in the struc-
ture during spore formation. Cytobios. 20:121-
132.

Vaartaja, O.; Pitblado, R. E.; Buzzell, R. I.;
Crawford, L. G. 1979. Chemical and biological
control of Phytophthora root and stalk rot of
soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:307-31 1.

Ward, E. W. B.; Lazarovits, G.; Unwin, C. H.;
Buzzell, R. I. 1979. Hypocotyl reactions and
glyceollin in soybeans inoculated with zoo-
spores of Phytophthora megasperma var. so-
jae. Phytopathology 69:951-955.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Warwick, S. I.; Souza Machado, V.; Marriage, P.
B.; Bandcen, J. D. 1979. Resistance of Cheno-
podium strictum Roth, (late-flowering goose-
foot) to atrazine. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:269-
270.

Weaver, S. E.; Cavers, P. B. 1979. The effects of
date of emergence and emergence order on
seedling survival rates in Rumex crispus and
R. obtusifolius. Can. J. Bot. 57:730-738.

Miscellaneous

Bonn, W. G. 1978. Fire blight bacteria in dormant
apple and pear buds. Proc. 4th Int. Conf. Plant
Pathol. Bact. 739-741.

Bonn, W.G.I 978. Susceptibility of apple scions on
different rootstocks to infection by Erwinia
amylovora. Proc. 4th Int. Conf. Plant Pathol.
Bact. 493-497.

Bonn, W. G. 1979. The fight against fire blight.
Pomona 12:176-178.

Buzzell, R. I. 1979. Soybean linkage tests. Soybean
Genet. Newsl. 6:15-16.

Buzzell, R. I.; Buttery, B. R. 1979. Soybean
parental lines. Soybean Genet. Newsl. 6:17-18.

Buzzell, R. I.; Voldeng, H. D.; Bailey, L. D. 1979.
Growing soybeans. Agric. Can. Publ. 1487. 18
pp. (Revised).

Dhanvantari, B. N. 1979. Bacterial spot of peach.
OMAF Factsheet 212/634 (Revised).

Dhanvantari, B. N.; Aylesworth, J. W. 1979.
Bacterial blight of white bean and breeding for
resistance to it. Can. Agric. 24( 1 ):5-7.

Dhanvantari, B. N.; Dye, D. W.; Young, J. M.
1978. Pseudomonas melophthora and P. pomi
belong in Acetobacter. Proc. 4th Int. Conf.
Plant Pathol. Bact. 387-391 .

Jarvis, W. R.; Nuttall, V. W. 1979. Cucumber
diseases. Agric. Can. Publ. 1684. 42 pp.

Layne, R. E. C. 1979. New Harrow apricot intro-
duced. Can. Fruitgrower 35(3):30.

Lesage, S. 1979. Chemical interactions between
copper and ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) fun-
gicides. 178th Am. Chem. Soc. Natl. Meet.,
Washington, D.C., Pesticide Division Abstract
#47.

McClanahan, R. J. 1979. Parasite control of
greenhouse pests. The Grower 29(9): 1 2.

Stone, R. P.; Jarvis, W. R. 1979. Artificial curing of
onions. OMAF Factsheet 258/732 (Revised).

Tan, C. S.; Fulton, J. M. 1979. A simple equation
for estimating évapotranspiration from irri-
gated crops in southwestern Ontario. Agron.
Abstr. 71:17.

Tu, J. C. 1979. White mold of white begns.
Canadex 142.630.

Weaver, S. E.; Cavers, P. B. 1979. Reproductive
effort and seed viability in two closely-related
perennial weed species. Annu. Meet. Ecolog.
Soc. Am. :F1 87 (Abstract).

RESEARCH STATION, HARROW, ONT.

Research Station
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

T. Rajhathy, Ing. Agr., M. Se, D. Agr. Sci.
J. G. R. Loiselle, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
B. W. Jablonski, B.L.A.

R. PORTEOUS

Director

Plant gene resources of Canada
Landscape Architect
Administrative Officer

Cereal Crops

V. D. Burrows, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
R. V. Clark, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.
S. O. Fejer, Ing. Agr., Dr. Sc. Tech.
R. G. Fulcher, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. R. Sampson, B.Sc, A.M., Ph.D.
W. L. Seaman, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Oat breeding

Plant pathology

Barley breeding

Morphogenetics and grain quality

Wheat breeding

Wheat disease

Crop Loss

V. R. Wallen, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. K. Basu, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. J. Saidak, B.S. A., M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Aerial
photography, methodology
Methodology and legume diseases
Weeds

Cytogenetics

G. Fedak, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. C. Armstrong, B.S. A., Ph.D.

I. L. Craig, B.S.

W. A. Keller, B.S. A., Ph.D.

B. E. Murray, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Cereal cytology

Brome cytology

Haploidy, Hordeum cytology

Haploidy and cell genetics

Haploidy

Entomology

D. G. Harcourt, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Population
dynamics

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

R. Boch, Dr. Rer. Nat.

T. A. Gochnauer, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

J. C. Guppy, B.S.A., M.S.

Physiology and behavior of bees
Pathology of bees
Population dynamics

Forage Crops

W. R. Childers, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.

C. C. Chi, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

L. Dessureaux, B.A., B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

L. S. Donovan, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

W. R. McElroy,1 M.Sc, B.Sc

H. D. Voldeng, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. S. Warren, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Grass breeding

Plant pathology

Alfalfa genetics

Corn breeding

Grass breeding

Soybean breeding

Agronomy

Ornamentals

E. V. Parups, M.S. A., Ph.D.

A. T. Bolton, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
T. Burnett, B.S.A., Ph.D.
W. E. Cordukes, B.Sc, M.Sc
J. A. Simmonds, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. J. Svejda, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Physiology and
floriculture
Pathology
Entomology
Turfgrass
Floriculture
Plant breeding

Experimental Farm, Kapuskasing, Ont.

J. G. Proulx, D.V.M.

Superintendent; Crop management
and evaluation

Experimental Farm, Thunder Bay, Ont.

J. Wilson

Superintendent; Crop management
and evaluation

Departures

H. Baenziger, Ing. Agr.,
Transferred April 1979

I. A. de la Roche, B.Sc.
Transferred April 1979

W. B. Towill, B.S.A.
Transferred May 1979

M.Sc, Ph.D.
M.Sc, Ph.D.

Legume breeding

Head of Section; Tissue culture

genetics
Superintendent, Experimental Farm,

Thunder Bay, Ont.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

VISITING SCIENTIST

C. Nakamura, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. 1979-1980 Cereal tissue culture

Graduate students

G. Douglas, B.Sc. (Agr.) Somatic hybridization

S. Gleddie, B.Sc. Somatic hybridization

'On educational leave, Guelph University, Guelph, Ont., from September 1979 to August 1980.

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT. 95

INTRODUCTION

The Ottawa Research Station is the major center for plant breeding in eastern and central
Ontario as well as for western Quebec. It is the major center for ornamentals research in the
Research Branch. Canadian plant gene resources is a national program and a small unit is
engaged in studies of honey bee behavior and pathology. In addition the Station is charged with
numerous service functions and the management of the entire Central Experimental Farm.

The breeding programs are supported by multidisciplinary research including plant
genetics and somatic cell genetics, cytogenetics, plant physiology and pathology, entomology,
cytochemistry and morphogenetics, and weed science. Agronomy provides important
information for improved crop management and a Quality Laboratory is servicing all the
breeding programs. The scope of landscape architecture includes the beautification of the
campus, the planning of the annual chrysanthemum show, and landscape planning for
Agriculture Canada buildings across the country.

The Experimental Farm at Kapuskasing continues to conduct experiments on crop
production and on beef-cattle management for northwestern Quebec and northeastern Ontario.
The Experimental Farm at Thunder Bay is engaged in crop production for northwestern
Ontario.

One of the more outstanding accomplishments in 1979 was the licensing of the soybean
Maple Presto, the first truly short-season cultivar. Two short-season corn hybrids were licensed
and two winter wheats and an early timothy reached the licensing stage. A new winter-hardy
rose, David Thompson, was registered and two ornamental shrubs were released. Another
highlight was the production and characterization of tobacco parasexual hybrids derived from
fused protoplasts of the cultivated tobacco and Nicotiana rustica.

Mr. Bill Towill was transferred as Superintendent to the Indian Head Experimental Farm
of the Regina Research Station in May. During his 19 yr of service at Thunder Bay, he
provided excellent service to the Research Branch and his knowledge and experience were
much appreciated by the farming community in northwestern Ontario.

This report summarizes some of the more important research results from the Station in
1979. Further information can be obtained from the publications listed at the end of this
report. Reprints of the research publications and copies of this report are available on request
from the Ottawa Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A
OC6.

Tibor Rajhathy
Director

CEREAL CROPS

Wheat

Breeding. Line 0-45-4, a soft white winter
wheat, performed superbly in the Ontario
cooperative winter wheat test for the 3rd yr in
a row. In 1979 it outyielded Fredrick by 6.9%
and Yorkstar by 5.7%. It has better pastry
quality than Fredrick because of its lower
protein content. It shares with Yorkstar the
weakness of low hectolitre weight. Breeder
seed was seeded on 1.6 ha in the fall of 1979
and the new cultivar is expected to be released
to seed growers in the fall of 1980.

Another Ottawa winter wheat, T 1365-216,
looks promising as a feed wheat for Eastern
Canada, particularly the Maritimes. During 4

yr in the Eastern cooperative winter feed
wheat test it outyielded Lennox by 1.6% while
during 3 yr in the Maritime regional test it
outyielded Lennox by 3.6%. Its performance
is more consistent than that of Lennox,
perhaps because of its greater
winterhardiness.

Barley

Breeding. The cultivar Massey, released in
1978, maintained its position as the highest
yielding six-rowed feed barley in Ontario over
1977-1979. It was followed by its predeces-
sor, Vanier, an Ottawa cultivar released in
1972. OB 294-1, a Trent x Vanier derivative,
was by far the highest yielding strain in
advanced tests grown in Eastern Canada.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Short-strawed selections in the testing pro-
gram outyielded conventional tall types for
the first time in 1979. Other specialized
genetic material such as two-rowed and high-
protein selections, lines of winter x spring
origin, large-seeded lines, and hooded forage-
type selections performed well.

Oats

Breeding. In 1967, ORS began a program
to increase the adaptability of oats by combin-
ing the daylength insensitivity (DI) genes in
Avena byzantina C. Koch (CAV2700) from
Turkey with all the desirable genes present in
adapted Canadian cultivars. This task has
been accomplished, but superior DI strains
flower too early in Canada to produce yields
equal to sensitive cultivars. Through breeding
and selecting for lateness under Canadian
conditions, high yielding DI strains have now
been isolated. Two of these strains (OA 338
and OA 366) are now in advanced tests and
they combine high yield with early maturity;
lodging resistance; resistance for barley yel-
low dwarf, red leaf, and smut; white seed;
large seed size; thin hulls; and high dehulling
yields. A notable feature of almost all the DI
genetic stocks is large seed size. DI strains
flower earlier than daylight-sensitive strains
and fill their seed over a longer period of time.
Seed sizes of hulled strains vary from 35 to 45
mg per seed, whereas hull-less strains vary
from 30 to 42 mg per seed. Large oat seed,
comparable in weight to barley seed, is
desirable to improve harvestable yields from
combine harvesting. This is especially true
when oats are grown in mixture with barley.
Approximately 50% of Ontario small-grain
cropland is sown to mixed grains.

A major advance has been made in the
hull-less breeding program by the isolation of
a large-seeded strain (PGR8646) whose
groats possess few surface hairs (trichomes).
Surface hairs break off the kernel during
threshing and cleaning and they act as skin
and respiratory irritants to handlers. This
characteristic has reduced acceptance of hull-
less cultivars in the past, but the availability
of PGR8646 may lead to renewed producer
interest and stimulate increased effort in
breeding hull-less oats.

A new dormoat strain, PGR8658, has been
isolated and seed supplies have been increased
for technology transfer programs in Ontario
and Alberta. This strain represents the best
combination of the genes governing seed

after-ripening, winterhardiness, and spring
germination of any dormoat strain selected to
date.

Physiology and morphogenesis

Progress has continued in the identification
of important reserves in cereal grains with the
development of several specific fluorescence
tests for protein, starch, /3-glucans, vitamins,
phenolic compounds, and other constituents.
In particular, a comprehensive chemical and
microscopic study of wheat storage lipids
showed dramatic differences in both the
concentration and distribution of neutral
lipids in the starchy endosperm of several
different wheat cultivars. Development of
fluorescence methods for assaying niacin,
aromatic amine, and phytin deposits in cereal
bran were also completed and comparative
analyses showed considerable variation in the
distribution of these compounds in wheat,
oats, barley, and sorghum.

Pathology

Septoria leaf blotch or black stem (Septo-
ria avenae Frank f. sp. avenae) is a serious
disease of oats in Eastern Canada. Some
nonadapted cultivars have been identified in
field tests as more resistant than others, but
the transfer of this resistance to improved
cultivars has not been possible. Inoculation of
seedling plants with the disease-inducing
organism is not correlated very well with the
incidence and expression of the disease on
adult plants in the field. A new technique has
been devised properly to infect and identify
resistant and susceptible adult plants under
growth room conditions.

Damage to winter wheat crops in eastern
and central Ontario from snow molds was less
severe than in 1978. However, light to severe
damage, primarily from abiotic factors in the
central area and from snow molds in the
eastern area, occurred in most fields surveyed.
Pathogenic fungi involved in snow mold
included Fusarium nivale "Fr." Ces., Typh-
ula spp., and possibly Scierotinia borealis
Bubâk & Vleugel. Test plots were established
to assess the survival ability of wheat cultivars
at five locations in the Ottawa Valley.

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

CROP LOSS ASSESSMENT

The delta race of bean anthracnose

The delta race appeared late in 1976 in
Ontario, its first appearance in Canada. In
1977 the disease reached epiphytotic propor-
tions, infecting approximately 25% of pedi-
greed bean fields in Ontario. At that time,
strict quarantine measures were imposed and
all infected pedigreed seed was rejected for
further pedigreed status. As well, research
into chemical seed treatments was initiated
immediately. In 1978, seed treatments that
had effectively controlled anthracnose in
greenhouse trials were applied to all pedi-
greed seed stocks for field use. The combina-
tion of dry weather and effective seed treat-
ments resulted in complete control of
anthracnose. Further greenhouse and field
tests were carried out in 1978 and 1979 using
benomyl or benomyl-related compounds in
combination with captan for protection
against seed decay organisms and diazinon for
protection against seed corn maggot. Once
again seed-borne anthracnose was controlled.
In 1979, optimum conditions prevailed for
anthracnose infection in eastern and south-
western Ontario. Although six fields infected
with anthracnose were located in southwest-
ern Ontario, all cases were caused by soil-
borne infection due to improper crop rotation
practices. Seed treatments were effective in a
year that was optimum for the disease.

Although seed treatments have controlled
the disease for the present, resistant cultivars
would be a more permanent control. Research
into this area is being carried out at a number
of establishments in Ontario.

Ethephon to increase yield of soybeans

Field research was conducted in 1979 to
determine if foliar application of the growth
regulator ethephon would increase the yield of
the Maple Arrow soybean cultivar. This study
was undertaken in response to recent research
in the United States which showed that
ethephon application increased the yields of
certain soybean cultivars. The ethephon was
applied at rates of 0.28 and 0.56 kg/ha when
the soybeans were at the first bloom, at 50%
bloom, or at the first pod stage of growth. It
was found that ethephon had no significant
effect on soybean yield after application at
either the rates or the stages of growth used in
this study. None of the ethephon treatments

used were observed to cause a visible growth
effect on the soybeans.

Soil survival structures of Phytophthora
megasperma Drechsl. and their role in
primary infection of Medicago sativa L.

A hitherto-unreported existence of chlamy-
dospores of P. megasperma Drechsl., the
cause of alfalfa {M. sativa L.) root rot, as soil
survival and primary infection units has been
demonstrated. The chlamydospores originated
from hyphal swellings and thalloid mycelium;
these were usually round (8-16 /Am diam),
hyaline, thin-walled, and germinated by one
or more germ tubes which penetrated alfalfa
tissues and ramified inside producing more
chlamydospores, oospores, and sporogenous
hyphae; the latter emerged from tissues to
bear sporangia externally in the presence of
sufficient water.

CYTOGENETICS

Cytology

Wide crosses in cereals. In addition to
reciprocal intergeneric hybrids obtained from
intercrossing Betzes barley with Chinese
Spring wheat, barley-wheat hybrids (and
frequencies) were obtained from crossing
Emir X Chinese Spring (0.60), Bonus X
Chinese Spring (0.40), Betzes x Koga (0.29),
and Bonus x Koga (0.29). All hybrids were
vegetatively vigorous but sterile and the
phenotype was characteristic of the particular
wheat parent.

Viable intergeneric hybrids were produced
by crossing Bomi barley with Petkus rye. The
phenotype of the rye parent predominated but
the nucleolar organizers of rye were sup-
pressed by those of barley. A total lack of
chromosome pairing at meiosis implied no
homeology between chromosomes of the two
parents.

Trigeneric hybrids were obtained repeat-
edly by crossing Prolific rye onto barley x
wheat hybrids. Rye pollen with and without B
chromosomes yielded seeds at frequencies of
0.63 and 1.81% of pollinated florets on the
barley x wheat hybrids. The hybrids had the
expected chromosome number of 35 and the
rye chromosomes were distinguishable by
their larger size and presence of terminal C
bands.

Hordeum gene pool. To evaluate the poten-
tial genetic resources of the wild grass-like

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

species, 1783 accessions (including 361 H.
bulbosum L., 193 H. leporinum Link, 53 H.
murinum L., 12 H. bogdanii Wil., 6 H.
brevisubulatum Link, and 18 H. violaceum
Boiss. & Huet) collected in Turkey, Greece,
Iran, Chile, and Argentina have been planted
and studied for chromosome number and
morphology, fertility, and seed increase. The
South American part of the collection in-
cludes 29 species, many of which are appar-
ently new species not previously available for
cytogenetic or morphological studies.

Bromegrass. The chromosome number of
meadow bromegrass, Bromus riparius Rehm.,
is In = lOx = 70. Meiotic chromosome
pairing suggests a segmental alloploid origin.

Fertility is partially restored in the amphip-
loid of In = 28 B. pumpellianus ssp. dick-
sonii Mitchell and Wilton x In = 28 B.
inermis Leyss. Therefore the sterility of the F,
tetraploid hybrid was largely chromosomal.

The first hybrids between Old and New
World species of Bromus section Pnigma
(Bromopsis) were produced from 2n = 28 B.
pacificus Shear x In = 28 B. benekenii
(Lange) Trimen and B. pacificus x B.
riparius. Attempts to hybridize B. inermis to
the New World species have failed, but it can
be crossed to both B. benekenii and B.
riparius.

Experimental haploidy and somatic cell
genetics

Brassica spp. Haploid plants have been
obtained in B. campestris L. (summer turnip
rape), B. napus L. (rutabaga, winter and
summer rapeseed), and B. oleracea L. (broc-
coli, marrowstem kale) by induction of micro-
spore embryogenesis in cultured anthers. The
frequency of haploid embryo formation was
greatly stimulated by initially culturing the
anthers at elevated temperatures (30, 35°C)
prior to maintenance at 25°C. More than
2000 anther-derived plantlets have been
regenerated.

Donor growth conditions such as tempera-
ture, photoperiod, and light intensity affected
haploid plant yield obtained during subse-
quent anther culture. Optimal conditions for
growing responsive B. campestris and B.
napus anther donors in growth chambers were
identified.

Nicotiana. Protoplasts isolated from cell
cultures of chlorophyll deficient strains of N.
tabacum and N. rustica were fused by a
treatment with polyethylene glycol. More

than 200 green cell colonies were identified in
the postfusion cultures and plant regeneration
was induced in 30 different colonies. Cytolog-
ical, morphological, and isoenzyme analysis of
25 lines provided conclusive evidence that all
the regenerates were somatic hybrids. The
chromosome numbers of the hybrids varied
from 65 to the expected number of 96.
Although some of the hybrids shed pollen, all
were self-sterile in greenhouse conditions.

Flax. Haploid-diploid twin seedlings occur
spontaneously in the cultivar Rocket 4. At
meiosis in haploids the chromosomes undergo
one meiotic division, divide irregularly, or are
precocious in distribution. Haploids, as mater-
nal parents in haploid x diploid crosses, differ
in seed set (5-46%) and in the frequency of
diploid (58%), aneuploid (20%), and triploid
(22%) plants among the F, progenies. Segre-
gation in the F2 provides evidence that haploid
x diploid crosses offer a method for obtaining
diploid hybrids. Haploid-diploid twins with
the fiber trait were identified in F2 families
from crossing haploid Rocket x diploid
Natasja (fiber type). Rust-resistant twins
were recovered in F2 families when Dufferin
(rust-resistant) was used as the diploid donor
in haploid x diploid crosses. Reciprocal
crosses between the two types of twins are
expected to produce rust-resistant fiber type
hybrids for plant breeding evaluation.

Wheat. More than 20 000 anthers were
utilized in studies of factors (genotype, micro-
spore development, and culture environment)
influencing the in vitro production of haploid
wheat. While three embryos were obtained
from two Pitic-62 anthers, a significant stimu-
lation of growth was not obtained in the
treatments evaluated.

Rye. Delayed pollination of rye (spring type
and self-compatible) with X-rayed pollen in
combination with heat shock and cold shock
treatment did not result in the production of
haploid seedlings among the excised embryos.

ENTOMOLOGY

Population dynamics and pest management

Alfalfa weevil. Disease caused by the
fungus Entomophthora phytonomi Arthur
continued to govern intrageneration survival
of alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyll.),
across Ontario during 1979. However, life
table studies in the Quinte area showed that

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

numbers surviving to adulthood were above
normal and that many of these were attacked
by Microctonus aethiopoides (Loan), a Euro-
pean parasitoid recolonized from the north-
eastern United States during the early seven-
ties. Studies showed that the Canadian
biotype is bivoltine and that it truncates
weevil egg laying in early spring by parasitic
castration; this is a unique habit that confers
additional benefit to biological control.
Studies showed that the parasitoid is well
adapted to our climate and has the capacity to
damp weevil populations by killing a high
proportion of those individuals that escape
disease in the juvenile stages. Extensive
surveys showed that M. aethiopoides has
become established throughout southern
Ontario.

Alfalfa blotch leaf miner. Studies toward
the design of a system for estimating field
populations of the eggs and larvae showed
that differences between alfalfa stems com-
prise the principal source of sampling varia-
tion and that numbers therein increase expo-
nentially from base to tip. Taking these
patterns and the costs of sampling into
account, it was found that a systematic
sample of four leaves per stem is the most
appropriate sample unit. On this basis, 200
stems per field will give excellent precision for
population estimates. However, the propensity
of the leafminer to prefer the middle leaflet to
the basal leaflets in a 3:4:3 ratio was exploited
in the final sampling design. A comparison of
this scheme to intensive sampling showed that
population estimates were identical while
sampling costs were reduced by four-fifths.

Honey bees

Behavior. Worker bees learn to distinguish
between their own and foreign queens on the
basis of individual characteristics. An odorif-
erous characteristic, such as shellac paint
marking on the queen's thorax, was used by
the workers to recognize their own queen.
However, a tactile physical characteristic of a
queen, such as clipped wings, was not used for
recognition. Colony odors acquired from the
hive environment also played a role in queen
discrimination. Moreover, when the queens
were removed from swarms, and each swarm
was presented with a choice of two foreign
queens, the queenless workers preferred the
one which was more similar in age and
reproductive status to their original queen.
Recognition of pheromone was shown to
account for this ability in the worker bees.

Disease. Continuing studies of Ascosphaera
apis, the causal organism of chalkbrood
disease, showed that sporulated cultures are
rapidly killed by exposure to vapors of gera-
niol or citral, two naturally occurring com-
pounds in the scent glands of the honey bee.
Dead larvae were also disinfected by exposure
to the two compounds, but at a slower rate
than in the cultures because of reduced
penetration. These same cadavers were rap-
idly sterilized by fumigation with ethylene
oxide at concentrations recommended for
disinfection of American foulbrood disease.

Laboratory tests for disease were acceler-
ated and improved by a new method of
detecting bacterial and microsporidian spores
in bee and honey samples. Using continuous
flow centrifugation, this procedure facilitates
the recovery of low numbers of spores which
are not detectable by other assays.

Cereal leaf beetle. A comparison of fitness
in North American and European populations
of Oulema melanopus (L.) supported the
suggestion that a more vigorous strain of the
beetle may have developed in North America
following its introduction. Under controlled
conditions the former insects were more
fecund and after 10 mo of cold storage they
oviposited over a longer period. Duration of
the egg stage at five constant temperatures
was identical in both populations but larval
development differed significantly at 17 and
31°C, suggesting adaptation to different
temperature ranges in the two populations.

FORAGE CROPS

Grasses

Timothy. The breeding emphasis has been
on providing new cultivars, with a wide range
of maturity, high forage and seed yield, and
increasing percentages of digestibility and
protein content. We have applied for a license
for a new early cultivar named Salvo; it was
bred in direct response to farmers' demand. It
will be used in Ontario and Quebec for
mixtures with alfalfa and in the Atlantic
region for early haylage. It is a pasture type
with high aftermath. Two new wide-leaved

100

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Labcllc strains exceeded Climax in yield in
Ontario.

Orchardgrass. The breeding program em-
phasizes high yields of forage and seed and
late maturity. Two strains, reselected from
Kay, produced well in the first harvest year in
Ontario. A reselection of Rideau was entered
in the provincial test in 1979.

Bromegrass. Tempo bromegrass has pro-
vided increased area of brome cultivation due
to its highly successful seed production poten-
tial. New interspecific hybrids of B. inermis
are being evaluated in spaced nursery rows.

Alfalfa

The main breeding problems have centered
on yield, Phytophthora resistance, selection
for increased protein, and studies relating to
the economic effects of harmful insects. Four
synthetics with considerable tolerance to
Phytophthora megasperma Drechsl. have
been established in the field. Four polycross
lines for high protein were established in the
field for yield evaluation.

Breeding methods. Twelve promising F,
progenies, selected for high seed setting from
crosses between Iroquois and Thor, differed in
mean and variance. Some families were
characterized by a high mean and a small
variance, whereas some other families were
characterized by a relatively low mean and a
large variance. The latter observation was
often associated with an unequal parental
performance. High mean and small variance
can be hypothesized to indicate a genetic
situation where tetraallelic or near tetraallelic
systems predominate in those families. Half-
sib and unrelated matings were compared
using either a single or a mixed source of
pollen. Maximum seed setting (7.1 seeds per
pod) was obtained when a mixed source of
pollen was used in unrelated matings. When
half-sibs were substituted for unrelated mat-
ings, seed setting decreased by 13% with the
use of mixed pollen, and by 1 5% in the case of
single crosses.

Corn

Breeding and genetics. Two new experi-
mental hybrids qualified for licensing in
provincial corn committee tests, OX623 in
Ontario and OX543 in the Atlantic Provinces.
OX543 is the third hybrid developed in this
program that is currently qualified for inclu-
sion on the Atlantic Provinces' recommended

list. Eighteen inbred lines were released for
general distribution through the Plant Gene
Resources office. The main breeding effort
continues to be an upgrading of root strength
and stalk quality in 2100-2800 heat-unit
inbred lines previously developed in this
program. A study of heritability of root
strength in corn was begun. Equipment to
measure the kilograms of pull required to
break the roots of corn plants was developed
and tested. Six inbred lines used as vehicles in
this development work gave readings ranging
from a low of 370 kg for CO 125 to a high of
863 kg for C0258. A collection of cool-
temperature-tolerant inbred lines was made
mainly from northwest European sources.

Agronomy. In a continuing experiment
with corn and sorghum, alone and in mix-
tures, two forage sorghum hybrids were
grown in all combinations of mixtures in the
row and between rows of early-, medium-, and
late-maturing corn hybrids. Each year some
mixtures both within and between rows
yielded more silage dry matter than either
corn or sorghum alone. At harvest the sor-
ghums averaged only 21.5% dry matter
compared to 30.8% for the corn hybrids. The
sorghum hybrids were much lower in digest-
ibility, averaging only 50.9% compared to
66.0% for the corn hybrids. The corn hybrids
alone averaged higher in digestible dry matter
than either sorghum alone or sorghum
mixtures.

Soybeans

Breeding. The cultivar Maple Presto (line
BD21117) was licensed in 1979 and seed
distributed through the SeCan Association. It
is the earliest licensed cultivar in Canada,
maturing 12-16 days before Portage and with
as few as 2000 heat units. Yields obtained by
seed growers in Prince Edward Island, On-
tario, and Manitoba have been satisfactory
for a cultivar that matures so early. The
cultivar Maple Arrow has gained wide accept-
ance by producers in eastern and central
Ontario. The line AU-313, of intermediate
(Portage) maturity, has been tested regionally
for 3 yr, and performed very well; seed
supplies will be increased in 1980. Five small-
seeded (less than 6 mm diam) lines for the
Japanese natto market were grown in 0.4 ha
plots and 100 kg of seed of each sent to Japan
for quality evaluation. They were also in the
regional trial for yield and maturity assess-
ment. The backcrossing program to transfer

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

101

da\ length insensitivity to the cultivar Harosoy
indicates that the gene involved differs from
that studied elsewhere. It influences only
flowering, not both flowering and pod develop-
ment. Four backcrosses to incorporate the
high-podded characteristic in Maple Arrow
and Maple Presto have been completed. The
greater height above the soil of the lowest
pods in the selected lines is associated with a
taller plant (20 cm) and about 5-7 days delay
in maturity.

Agronomy. Nine soybean cultivars ranging
in maturity from the earliest available to ones
rated to require 2700 heat units were com-
pared in narrow (18 cm) and wide (36 cm)
row spacing. Every cultivar yielded signifi-
cantly more in narrow row planting, but
differences were not directly related to matur-
ity rating. Both the earliest and the latest
cultivars yielded 23% more in narrow rows.
Other differences ranged from 5 to 27% while
the average increase due to closer planting
was 16%. With adequate weed control it
seems reasonable to expect good economic
benefit to be gained from planting soybeans in
narrow rows in this area.

Pathology

An intensive survey of alfalfa fields with
generally heavy clay soils in 13 Ontario
counties showed that Phytophthora
megasperma was present in about 4% of the
fields in Renfrew, 8% in Perth, 25% in Brant
and Dundas, 62% in Haldimand, and 75% in
North Niagara. Also, 50% of the sampled
alfalfa fields in Quebec were affected by P.
megasperma. Thus, over the past 4 yr, 67
isolates of P. megasperma and one of Phy-
tophthora cactorum (Leb. & Cohn) Schroet.
were isolated from alfalfa fields in Ontario
and Quebec. These isolates are classified into
three definite forms: (/) small spored; (2)
large spored; (J) large spored having a limited
fruiting capacity producing oogonia in the
presence of other Phytophthora species. Path-
ogenicity tests were done on a few isolates,
and definite differences were observed in
disease severity.

Using a one-isolate source (AR-2, highly
pathogenic), inoculum potential studies, test-
ing a standard concentration of 1 x as well as
0 x (control), 1 / 1 0 x , 1 /2 x , and 2 x concen-
trations (based on mycelial weights), indi-
cated that highly significant differences in
disease severity occurred between the highest
concentrations, that is 2x, lx, l/2x, and

the lower concentration l/10x and Ox.
These results were determined on Saranac, a
highly susceptible alfalfa cultivar, and Apollo,
a resistant-type cultivar. Also, composite
inoculum (11 pathogenic isolates) was tested
and higher levels of phytophthora root rot
were observed as compared to the one-isolate
source, but they were not significantly differ-
ent among 2x, lx, l/2x, and 1/lOx
concentrations.

ORNAMENTALS

Floriculture

Gibberellins were the most variable growth
regulators in photoperiodically treated chry-
santhemums. GA9 was most prevalent and
reached highest level in apices on the 20th
short day (SD). In third and fifth leaf and bud
tissues, GA9 was more prevalent on 10th SD.
GA's 1, 3, 4, and 7 were present in trace
amounts. Morphactin changed the geotropical
response and root growth substance content:
IAA, ABA, GA9, and GA5 contents de-
creased; IPyA, IAcA, GA3, and GA4 contents
were not affected; and ILA content increased
with increasing dosages of morphactin. The
growth substance pattern of decapped roots
resembled that of the roots treated with the
highest dose of morphactin.

Growing of chrysanthemums at split, cool
night temperature was continued emphasizing
the responses to temperature between the pot-
and bench-grown plants. Work on production
of roses at split, cool night t° and different soil
t° is progressing. Requirements of Hypoestes
aristata (Soland. ex R. Br.) and Sinningia
cardinalis (Lehm.) as pot plants were deter-
mined, described, and supplied to trade.
Determination of photosynthesis and respira-
tion rates of chrysanthemums grown at dif-
ferent night temperatures were started to
determine the physiological basis for varietal
growth responses.

A range in germination rates was shown
among Impatiens waller ana (Hook. F.) culti-
vars. Over the temperature range of 15-30°C,
the fast-germinating cultivars showed strong
temperature dependence and the slow-germi-
nating ones showed minor responses to tem-
perature. Continuous light enhanced germina-
tion, but response was relatively small and
cultivar-specific. Correlation was demon-
strated between the rate of germination and
seedling establishment. Pretreatment of seeds
at 8°C for 7 or 14 days and transfer to 25°C

102

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

increased rate of germination and facilitated
subsequent seedling development and estab-
lishment. Seeds pretreated with polyethylene
glycol (PEG) 6000 (-7.5 bar for 10 days)
germinated within 24 h after release from
osmotic control, resulting in rapid seedling
development and establishment and earlier
flowering. The PEG pretreatments were supe-
rior to low temperature pretreatments, but
they are not readily applicable. Low tempera-
ture seed pretreatment can be utilized to
improve seedling establishment in commercial
production. Soil cover (0.5 cm Pro Mix A)
significantly improved seedling establishment
of both pretreated and nontreated seeds.

Flowering of Impatiens was strongly influ-
enced by temperature. Flowering was less at
lower (earlier) nodes and in larger numbers
by plants grown at 15 than at 25°C. At 15°C,
apical dominance was decreased resulting in
growth of compact plants.

Floral buds were induced on excised leaf
segments of the SD plant Streptocarpus
nobilis (C. B. Clarke), but occurred in vitro
only under conditions of SD.

Entomology

Six compatible components were selected
for integrated control of the twospotted mite,
aphids, thrips, greenhouse whitefly, and sow
bugs infesting roses. Techniques for rearing,
shipping, and releasing the chalcid parasite
Encarsia formosa (Gahan) and the preda-
cious mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-
Henriot were developed. The efficacy and
selectivity of methoprene and K oleate as
pesticides of the greenhouse whitefly were
determined. Selection of poinsettia from six
cultivars partially resistant to the greenhouse
whitefly was begun.

Pathology

Tests with Pythium aphani de r malum
(Edson) Fitzp. showed that the fungus would
not grow in culture at pH 4.5 or lower.
Soilless mixtures regulated to pH 4.5 sup-
ported satisfactory growth of poinsettia and
inoculation with P. aphanidermatum failed to
produce the disease. Poinsettia growth was
best in soilless mixtures at pH 5.5-7.0 and
maximum growth of P. aphanidermatum
occurred at pH 5.5-6.5. Optimum tempera-
ture for growth of both host and pathogen was
30°C. In sterile soilless mixtures, addition of
casein hydrolysate increased activity and
persistence of Trichoderma viride Pers. and

two Streptomyces spp. antagonistic to P.
aphanidermatum, giving protection against
root rot of poinsettia over a 6 wk period.

A strain of Pythium splendens Braun was
isolated from diseased Chrysanthemum mori-
folium (Ramat.) Hemsl. plants from a green-
house at Ottawa; it caused severe blackening
of the stems of chrysanthemum cuttings and
produced blackleg in geranium. Two strains
of P. splendens, one isolated from geranium
and the other from Rieger begonia, failed to
produce symptoms on chrysanthemum.

Twenty clones of Poa annua L. were tested
for resistance to leaf spot caused by Bipolaris
sorokiniana (Sacc. in Sorok.) Shoem. Differ-
ences in susceptibility to the disease were
observed and six clones exhibited a high
degree of resistance. Inoculation of 20 clones
with a strain of Colletotrichum graminicola
(Ces.) Wils. (anthracnose), prevalent on
turfgrass in the Ottawa area, showed that at
least two clones are quite tolerant of the
fungus. No tolerance of blight caused by P.
aphanidermatum was found among the 20
clones tested.

Turf

Turfgrass introductions were field seeded
and rated for color, quality, ground cover, and
stand density; winterkill and disease infec-
tions were noted. Kentucky bluegrass culti-
vars Majestic, Bristol, Bonnie Blue, and
Baron were the top-rated bluegrasses and
Biljart, Highlight, and PP15E the best fes-
cues. Tolerance of turf for winter-applied
deicing compounds NaCl, CaCl2, and urea, at
rates up to 40.5 kg/ 100 m2 yearly, was tested.
No damage to turf or buildup of salts in soil
was evident.

A native fescue grown from seed, from a
Maritime tidal flat, was more salt tolerant
than other fescues and bluegrasses and supe-
rior to the cultivars Highlight, Biljart, and
Carlawn, the new, improved fescues. In the
field, this strain produced good seed yields
and persisted better when clipped monthly
than with frequent mowing. It would be a
useful component of roadside turf mixtures
subjected to winter salt sprays and receiving
minimal mowing and maintenance in sum-
mer. Annual sampling of Poa annua from
original sites and subsequent greenhouse
growth tests showed that the perennial-like
forms of the species are stable and uniform.
Successful swards were obtained from spring

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

103

and fall seedlings in 1979 and provided good
turf under minimum management.

Twenty selections of Poa and four bent-
grasses were tested for resistance to common
turf pathogens. Inoculation with leaf spot
indicated several strains showing good resist-
ance to B. sorokiniana. These Poa selections
were far more resistant to this pathogen than
the four bentgrasses under test.

Plant breeding

A winter-hardy, repeatedly flowering, mil-
dew- and black-spot-resistant hybrid of R.
rugosa (Thunb.) named David Thompson was
released for commercial production. Inocula-
tions of 37 tetraploid and 15 diploid rose
hybrids with three races of black spot, Diplo-
carpon rosae Wolf, showed resistance to each
race in 1 1 diploid and two tetraploid hybrids.
Black spot resistance in roses is rare, espe-
cially in hybrids which can be crossed more
readily with garden cultivars than diploid
roses.

One cultivar of Forsythia with improved
flower bud hardiness, Spring Gold, was re-
leased jointly with the Research Station,
Morden.

Several hardy, freely flowering seedlings of
Weigela with a long flowering period, low
growth habit, and attractiveness of flowers
and shrubs are being evaluated at Ottawa.
One seedling is being evaluated for its adapta-
bility to different climatic conditions.

Arboretum and plant evaluation

Evaluation trials on annual plants were
continued: 160 cultivars of Antirrhinum
majus (L.) and 213 of Callistephus chinensis
(L.) were grown. Another 190 species and
cultivars from 43 genera were grown and
rated. Evaluation of alpine and herbaceous
plants was continued. The collection of Iris
germanica (L.) was revised with addition of
several new remontant forms. Observations
were continued on Draba, Campanula, Hosta,
and Primula. Labeling was completed in the
arboretum and campus areas with new trilin-
gual labels. Some renovations were carried
out on overgrown beds in the arboretum and
other new plantings were made, particularly
of the genus Prunus.

PLANT GENE RESOURCES

Plant Gene Resources Office

The functions of the Office have increased
steadily since it was established by the
Research Branch in 1970. Current activities
include (/) the production of catalogs or
inventories of plant gene resources maintained
in individual working collections of Canadian
plant breeders and other plant scientists; (2)
the creation of computerized data banks on
crops of economic importance in Canada; (3)
the provision of a query service to plant
breeders and others for locating genetic stocks
and cultivars; (4) the preservation and main-
tenance of plant germ plasm; (5) national and
international exchanges of genetic stocks and
cultivars; (6) the participation, on Canada's
behalf, in the program of the International
Board for Plant Genetic Resources to estab-
lish a world network of gene banks for
international seed storage of valuable germ
plasm collections; and (7) the production of
the Plant Gene Resources of Canada
Newsletter.

Conservation

With the acquisition in 1979 of an addi-
tional 27 m3 of seed storage space with
temperature and humidity control, the total
long-term seed storage facilities at the Plant
Gene Resources Office now include 54 m3 at
4°C and 20% RH and 64 m3 at -20°C with no
humidity control. Seed of nearly 36 000
stocks of various plant species is preserved in
these facilities.

Exchanges

Activities of the Plant Gene Resources
Office in connection with exchanges of genetic
stocks and cultivars in 1979 involved 297 such
exchanges with individuals in 38 countries for
a total of almost 7000 accessions.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM,
KAPUSKASING, ONT.

Legume inoculation and seed coating

The use of inoculants and seed coating on
alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil and seed coating
on timothy has been under study since 1976.
Dry matter yields of both Leo birdsfoot trefoil
and WL-215 alfalfa were not statistically
different when coated seeds or regular inocu-
lant were used in this study.

104

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

In 1977, another trial was established to
compare six strains of alfalfa inoculants
(obtained from Ste-Foy Research Station),
coated seeds, coated seeds plus 20% regular
inoculant, and noninoculated seeds of WL-
215 alfalfa. The same treatments were done
on Leo birdsfoot trefoil except for the six
strains of inoculants. None of the six strains
of inoculants proved to be superior to the
regular commercial strain of alfalfa inoculum.
WL-215 alfalfa yielded 5669 kg/ha without
the bacterial culture and an average of 5792
kg/ha with inoculant. Leo birdsfoot trefoil
yielded 5802 kg/ha with a regular strain of
inoculant and 5804 kg/ha without inoculant.
Seed coating of alfalfa did not result in
significant yield increase, nor did a 20%
increase of the seeding rate. A 20% higher
seeding rate of Leo birdsfoot trefoil (coated
seeds) did not increase yields significantly.

In 1978, two different types of seed coating
and rates of seeding of Apollo alfalfa, Leo
birdsfoot trefoil, and Toro timothy were
studied. An early spring plant count of Apollo
alfalfa produced 235.8 plants per square
metre with the use of a regular inoculant and
an average plant count of 175.5 per square
metre with the two coatings. Similarly Leo
birdsfoot trefoil had 186.3 plants per square
metre without a seed coating and 150.3 plants
per square metre with a coating. Toro timothy
had the same response with 453.6 plants per
square metre without a seed coating and
394.2 plants per square metre with a coating.
A higher seeding rate of coated seed produced
a similar plant count to the bare seeding. Dry
matter yields of alfalfa were on the average
631 1 kg/ha with coated seed and 6646 kg/ha
with bare seed, 6806 kg/ha with coated
birdsfoot trefoil and 6839 kg/ha with bare
seed, and 6085 kg/ha with coated timothy and
6173 kg/ha with bare seed. No difference was
noticed between the two types of coating.

In the spring of 1979, another trial was
sown to look at three alfalfa cultivars, Apollo,
Iroquois, and Vernal, coated with five differ-
ent commercial materials at two seeding
rates. A harvest in the year of seeding was
taken and none of the different coatings
resulted in a significant yield increase over the
bare seeding with any of the cultivars. Seed
coating of Vernal alfalfa resulted in slightly
more plants per square metre, whereas with
Apollo and Iroquois, the bare seeded plots had
more plants per square metre than the differ-
ent seed coatings.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM,
THUNDER BAY, ONT.

Crop management

The effect of nitrogen on timothy and soil
acidity. With the use of urea (45-0-0),
diammonium phosphate (18-46-0), and am-
monium nitrate (34-0-0) at low, medium, and
high rates of application, the largest crop
response to the nitrogen carriers was obtained
in the early season; diammonium phosphate
was the most effective fertilizer at comparable
rates of application on coarse-textured soils
having a pH of 4.9. The use of lime at 4480
kg/ha in the fall of 1977 did not significantly
increase total forage production over all
treatments in 1978. Average production on
unlimed soils having an average pH of 4.9 was
7415 kg/ha, compared to 7405 kg/ha on
limed soils having a pH of 5.5. A comparison
of urea with diammonium phosphate on limed
plots showed the latter more effective. Unfer-
tilized stands of timothy grown on soils having
a pH of 5.2 produced only 2806 kg/ha of
forage under a two-cut system. In compari-
son, on limed soils having a pH 6.2, total
yields averaged 5204 kg/ha. The yield results
for 1979 were only from one cut due to the
lack of precipitation during the month of July.
Plots that received low applications of fertiliz-
ers were completely taken over by white
clover by the end of June. The plots that
received medium and high rates of application
of fertilizers, with no lime content, showed no
significant difference in the dry matter yield,
4780 and 5137 kg/ha respectively. The plots
that received medium and high rates of
fertilizer with lime showed some difference in
dry matter yield, 5911 and 5302 kg/ha
respectively.

Winter survival of red clover cultivars in
northern Ontario. This test including five
cultivars of red clover (Lakeland, Ottawa,
Florex, Redland, and Prosper- 1) was seeded
on 7 May 1977, and was sufficiently estab-
lished by the fall of 1977 to harvest one crop
in that year. The stand went into winter in
excellent condition, but severe icing condi-
tions in January 1978 caused severe winterk-
ill. The cultivars Florex, Prosper- 1, and
Ottawa managed to survive, producing good
yields. The total mean yield for the years
1977-1979 of the three cultivars was 7295
kg/ha. Now into their 3rd yr, the varieties

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

105

Florex and Prosper- 1 continue to show per- relatively good stand compared
sistence despite winter injury, and retain a Lakeland, Ottawa, and Redland.

with

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Ambrose, J. T.; Morse, R. A.; Boch, R. 1979.
Queen discrimination by honey bee swarms.
Entomol. Soc. Am. 72:673-675.

Aragon, J.; Harcourt, D. G. 1978. Spatial pattern
of the eggs and larvae of Colias lesbia (Fab.)
(Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on alfalfa. Ser. V.,
Rev. Invest. Agr. 7:205-215.

Aragon, J.; Harcourt, D. G. 1978. Population and
mortality assessment during the egg and larval
stages of Colias lesbia (Fab.) (Lepidoptera:
Pieridae) on alfalfa. Ser. V., Rev. Invest. Agr.
7:217-226.

Armstrong, K. C. 1979. A and B genome homoeolo-
gies in tetraploid and octoploid cytotypes of
Bromus inermis. Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 21:65-
71.

Boch, R. 1979. Queen substance pheromone pro-
duced by immature queen honeybees. J. Apic.
Res. 18:12-15.

Boch, R.; Avitabile, A. 1979. Requeening honeybee
colonies without dequeening. J. Apic. Res.
18:47-51.

Boch, R.; Morse, R. A. 1979. Individual recognition
of queens by honey bee swarms. Entomol. Soc.
Am. 72:51-53.

Bolton, A. T.; Cordukes, W. E. 1979. Differences in
susceptibility to leaf spot caused by Bipolaris
sorokiniana among strains of Poa annua. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:1113-1116.

Buckner, C. H.; McLeod, B. B.; Gochnauer, T. A.;
Lough, R. 1976. Effects of the fungicide
Dithane M-45 on colonies of honey bees, Apis
mellifera Linnaeus. Manitoba Entomol. 10:46-

48.

Burnett, T. 1979. An acarine predator-prey popula-
tion infesting roses. Res. Pop. Ecol. 20:227-

234.

Clark, R. V. 1979. Yield losses in barley cultivars
caused by spot blotch. Can. J. Plant Pathol.
1:113-117.

Ellis, C. R.; Harcourt, D. G.; Dubois-Martin, D.
1979. The current status in Ontario of Tetra-
stichus julis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a
parasitoid of the cereal leaf beetle. 1978 Proc.
Entomol. Soc. Ont. 109:23-26.

Fedak, G. 1979. Cytogenetics of a barley x rye
hybrid. Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 21:543-548.

Fejer, S. O. 1979. Note on the effects of cane
density in red raspberry. Gartenbauwissen-
schaft 44:136-137.

Fejer, S. O.; Fedak, G.; Gillespie, B. J. A. 1979.
Controlled environment studies of pure and
mixed stands of two spring barley cultivars
with varying densities, daylengths and temper-
atures. Z. Pflanzenzuecht. 83:181-191.

Gochnauer, T. A.; Boch, R.; Margetts, V. J. 1979.
Inhibition of Ascosphaera apis by citral and
geraniol. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 34:57-61.

Gochnauer, T. A.; Margetts, V. J. 1979. Properties
of honeybee larvae killed by chalkbrood dis-
ease. J. Apic. Res. 18:212-216.

Jackson, H. R.; Wallen, V. R. 1979. Comparison of
optical density differences in aerial photo-
graphs between plant canopy and soils with
varying surface moisture. J. Biol. Photo. Assoc.

47:43-47.

Keller, W. A.; Armstrong, K. C. 1979. Stimulation
of embryogenesis and haploid production in
Brassica campestris anther cultures by ele-
vated temperature treatments. Theor. Appl.
Genet. 55:65-67.

Ryerson, R. A.; Mosher, P.; Wallen, V. R.; Stewart,
N. 1979. Three tests of agricultural remote
sensing for crop inventory in Eastern Canada:
Results, problems and prospects. Can. J. Re-
mote Sensing 5:53-66.

Sampson, D. R.; Robinson, H. G. 1979. Combining
ability for male fertility and yield in hybrid
winter wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:975-980.

Simmonds, J. A.; Simmonds, D. H.; Cumming, B.
C. 1979. Isolation and cultivation of proto-
plasts from morphogenetic callus cultures of
Lilium. Can. J. Bot. 57:512-516.

Svejda, F. 1979. Inheritance of winterhardiness in
roses. Euphytica 28:309-314.

Svejda, F. 1979. Buckley's Quill and Snowbelle
mock oranges. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:879-882.

Svejda, F. 1979. David Thompson rose. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:1167-1168.

Wallen, V. R.; Jackson, H. R. 1978. Alfalfa winter
injury, survival and vigor determined from
aerial photographs. Agron. J. 70:922-924.

106

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Wallen, V. R.; Galway, D. A. 1979. Effective
management of bacterial blight of field beans
in Ontario — 10 year program. Can. J. Plant
Pathol. 1:42-46.

Weinberger, P.; Anderson, P.; Donovan, L. S. 1979.
Changes in production, yield and chemical
composition of corn (Zea mays L.) after
ultrasound treatment of the seeds. Environ.
Biophys. 16:81-88.

Miscellaneous

Basu, P. K. 1979. Aerial photography to identify
forage species and estimate damage from
winter injury. 9th Int. Congr. Plant Prot. p. 87.

Bolton, A. T. 1979. Truban injury to petunia
seedlings. Bedding Plant Inc. News. Jan. p. 7.

Bolton, A. T.; Svejda, F. J. 1979. A new race of
Diplocarpon rosae capable of causing severe
black spot on Rosa rugosa hybrids. Can. Plant
Dis. Surv. 59:38-42.

Burrows, V. D. 1979. Long peduncled dwarf oats.
Oat Newsl. 29:38.

Buzzell, R. I.; Voldeng, H. D.; Bailey, L. D. 1979.
Growing soybeans. Agric. Can. Publ. 1487
(Revision).

Clark, R. V.; Seaman, W. L.; Clough, K. S.;
Sterling, J. D. E. 1979. Leaf blotch on Laurier
barley. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:81-87.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Planting trees and shrubs. Agric.
Can. Publ. 1679.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Ornamental plant trials. Agric.
Can. 24(1):18-19.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Growing roses. Agric. Can. Publ.

1675.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Winter protection. Rhododendron
Soc. Can. Info. Sheet 4.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Impatiens — Color for the shade.
Landscape/Paysage Can. 16(3):28-29.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Petunia trials, Ottawa 1978.
Canadex 281.34.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Annual trials, Ottawa 1978.
Canadex 281.34.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Composting/Le Compostage.
Agric. Can. Publ. 1681.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Impatiens trials, Ottawa 1978.
Canadex 281.34.

Cole, T. J. 1979. Checklist of ornamental trees.
Agric. Can. Publ. 1343 (Revision).

Cole, T. J. 1979. Canadian specialist plant societies.
Agric. Can., Ottawa Res. Stn. Mimeograph.

Cordukes, W. E. 1979. Home lawns. Agric. Can.
Publ. 1685.

Cordukes, W. E. 1979. A sand/peat playing field —
Construction and management. Proc. Can.
Golf Course Superintendents Assoc. Turfgrass
Show. pp. 12-18.

Dessureaux, L. 1979. Sélection pour fertilité dans
des familles hybrides de luzerne. Ann. ACFAS
46-37 (Abstract).

Dessureaux, L.; Michaud, R. 1979. Selection con-
cepts in alfalfa and breeding for heterosis.
Proc. 3rd Eastern Forage Improvement Conf.,
Ottawa.

Fedak, G. 1978. A viable hybrid between Hordeum
vulgare and Secale céréale. Cereal Res. Com-
mun. 6:353-358.

Fedak, G. 1979. Meiotic behavior of a barley-rye
hybrid. Barley Genet. Newsl. 9:18-20.

Fedak, G. 1979. Barley-wheat hybrids. Wheat
Newsl. 25:47.

Fedak, G. 1979. Coordinators report: Chromosome
7. Barley Genet. Newsl. 9:122.

Fedak, G.; Armstrong, K. C. 1979. Hybrids
between {Hordeum vulgare x Triticum aes-
tivum) X Secale cereale. Genetics 91:32-33.

Fejer, S. O.; Fedak, G. 1979. Winter-spring barley
hybrids. Can. Agric. 24(4):25-26.

Fejer, S. O.; Jui, P. 1979. Genotype-environment
interactions in single-seed-propagated barley
progenies. Cereal Res. Commun. 7:85-91.

Fejer, S. O.; Jui, P. Y.; Fedak, G. 1979. Seven
single-seed-descent generations, recurrent
crossing and selection and bulk breeding meth-
ods from a diallel cross of Hordeum vulgare L.
Genet. Suppl. S33 (Abstract).

Fulcher, R. G.; Wong, S. I. 1979. Inside cereals — A
microchemical view. Can. Agric. 24(3): 16- 19.

Gochnauer, T. A. 1978. Viruses and rickettsiae. Ch.
2, pp. 24-42 in R. A. Morse, ed. Honey bee
pests, predators, and diseases. Cornell Univ.
Press, Ithaca and London.

Gochnauer, T. A. 1978. Canadian bee disease laws
and regulations. Appendix 4, pp. 357-362 in R.
A. Morse, ed. Honey bee pests, predators, and
diseases. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca and
London.

Harcourt, D. G. 1979. Alfalfa weevil control. Agri-
book 5:28.

Harcourt, D. G. 1979. Design of a sampling system
for the alfalfa blotch leafminer. Proc. 16th
N.E. Alfalfa Insects Conf. pp. 1-3.

Loiselle, R. 1979. PGRC Newsl. 6. 1 1 pp.

Loiselle, R. 1979. PGRC Newsl. 7. 18 pp.

Parups, E. V. 1979. Hypoestes as a pot plant. Can.
Florist 74(ll):49-52.

RESEARCH STATION, OTTAWA, ONT.

107

Schneider. E. G.; Seaman, W. L. 1979. Microfi- Svejda, F. 1979. Philadelphia Buckley's Quill and

brillar structure in the cell walls of developing Snowbelle. Landscape/Paysage Can. 1 6(3): 14.

conidia of Fusarium sulphureum. Abstr. Can. _ .. _ . .

„, .. i o i .uu j ii ~ /i/: /n Svejda, K 1979. Bonavista, Elmira, Moncton and

Phvtopathol. Soc, Lethbndge, July. pp. 46-47. J ' ' '.

■* r Sydney /<osa rugosa X chmensis hybrids. Am.

Svejda, F. 1979. Philadelphus Snowbelle and Phila- Rose Mag" 25(3):34'35-

delphus Buckley's Quill. Canadex 275. Wallen, V. R. 1979. The occurrence of the lambda

strain of bean anthracnose in Ontario. Can.

Svejda, F. 1979. John Cabot rose. Canadex 283.33. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:3.

108 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Vineland Station, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

A. J. McGinnis, B.Sc., PhD.
M. Chiba, B.Sc, D.Sc.

D. R. Menzies, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

E. N. A. McMillan

Director

Residue chemistry
Agricultural engineering
Administrative Officer

Entomology

E. A. C. Hagley, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. W. Fisher, B.Sc (Agr.), Ph.D.
D. H. C. Herne, B.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
D. J. Pree, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. M. Simpson
A. B. Stevenson, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

Section Head; Fruit pest

management
Pesticide application
Acarology
Toxicology
Pesticide evaluation
Vegetable pest management

Nematology

P. W. Johnson, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
T. H. A. Olthof, Ing., B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.
J. W. Potter, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
J. L. Townshend, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.I.C.

Section Head; Chemical control
Host-parasite relations
Ecology
Ecology

Plant Pathology

H. F. Dias, Eng. Agr., Ph.D.

W. R. Allen, B.A., Ph.D.

T. R. Davidson, B.Sc, M.Sc.

W. G. Kemp, B.A., MA.

J. Northover, B.Sc, Ph.D., D.I.C.

A. A. Reyes, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Section Head; Fruit virology
Fruit virology
Fruit virology
Vegetable virology
Fruit mycology
Vegetable mycology

RESEARCH STATION, VINELAND STATION, ONT.

109

Experimental Farm, Smithfield, Ont.

S. R. Miller, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
W. P. Mohr, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Plant physiology and biochemistry
Food processing

Departures

H. B. Heeney, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.

Retired July 1979
H. L. House, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Retired December 1979

Superintendent: Nutrition and
orchard management
Insect physiology and nutrition

EXTENSION SERVICES1

J. T. Warner, B.Sc.

Fruit and vegetable crops

'Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Trenton, Ont.

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Integrated pest management (IPM) programs for apple and peach were again used
extensively by Ontario growers. Tentiform leaf miner continued as a serious problem in apple
orchards whether or not they were under IPM.

A predictive model was developed for carrot rust fly based upon heat units accumulated
above 3°C which permits highly reliable date of adult emergence forecasts for both first and
second generations.

Postplant application of the granular nematocides oxamyl, aldicarb, and phenamiphos,
together with foliar applications of oxamyl, reduced nematode populations and allowed
improved growth of young apple trees relative to the controls.

Alfalfa seed treated with oxamyl produced better seedlings than untreated seed in sterile
soil, and the seedlings were protected from injury when infested with nematodes.

Tomato ringspot virus was identified in Chelois, Ventura, and Vincent grapevines;
symptoms were cultivar specific. In addition, tobacco ringspot virus was identified in Pinot
Chardonnay vines. The COPI contract established this year for developing a mother block of
superior virus-tested vines is an important step forward for the industry.

Three scab-resistant apple cultivars, Britegold, Murray, and Trent, were named and
released by Smithfield Experimental Farm. An early high-yielding tomato, Earlibright, was
also named and released.

For more information on our research projects or for reprints of published papers, please
write: Director, Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station,
Ont. LOR 2E0.

A. J. McGinnis
Director

PESTICIDES

Application

Evaluation of spray coverage. Spray cover-
age, as evaluated by fluorescent dye deposits
and phosmet residues, was correlated with
mortalities of first instar oriental fruit moth,
Grapholitha molesta (Busck), placed on field-
sprayed peach foliage. High volumes per
hectare resulted in the highest and most
uniform coverage ratings. Residue deposits
were highest at the highest application rates,
but the relationship was not directly propor-
tional. Likewise, mortality of larvae was
higher throughout the test period at higher
application rates. A residue decay-rate model,
which incorporated several cumulative en-
vironmental factors, gave a better correlation
than did an asymptotic regression model.

Air cushion spray boom. The design of the
boom was refined to meet production require-

ments, and prototype units were distributed to
potential licensees for evaluation, under a
COPI contract. The machine shows real
promise for large-scale herbicide applications
where it can operate virtually independently
of travel speed or wind conditions.

Chemistry

High-performance liquid-chromatographic
method (HPLC) for bencmyl and its persist-
ence on apple foliage. A simple, effective
HPLC method was developed that permits
residues of benomyl and its degradation
compound, methyl 2-benzimidazole carba-
mate, to be determined simultaneously. The
method was employed to study the persistence
of benomyl on apple foliage after spray
application. The analyses revealed that 50%
of deposits dissipated in 5-8 days. For the first
10 days, however, more than half of the total
residue present at any time consisted of intact
benomyl. Consequently, when benomyl is
reapplied the percentage of benomyl in the
total residues will be even higher.

RESEARCH STATION, VINELAND STATION, ONT.

INSECTS AND MITES

Integrated pest management (IPM)

Pest management in apple orchards. The
effect of insecticides used for pest control in
integrated pest management programs on
field populations of predators was studied in
several apple orchards on the Niagara Penin-
sula. Generally, orchards sprayed with
azinphosmethyl (50% WP, 0.3-1.0 kg/ha)
and phosmet (50% WP, 1.1-2.6 kg/ha) had
fewer predators than those in which no
insecticides were applied. Eggs and immature
stages of the predators were absent or in very
low numbers in the treated orchards, indicat-
ing that they did not survive the insecticide
treatments. Adults found in these blocks,
therefore, were immigrants from adjacent
untreated areas. In both sprayed and un-
sprayed orchards, however, predator numbers
were low. The insecticide used and the
available prey both had an effect on the
predominant species surviving among differ-
ent predator groups, especially the coc-
cinellids and mirids.

Pest management in peach orchards. Con-
trols for oriental fruit moth (OFM) were
generally excellent in 1979. Timing insecti-
cide application by using pheromone traps for
oriental fruit moth and obliquebanded leafrol-
lers has gained wide acceptance by growers
and surveys indicate increasing usage of
chemicals recommended in the IPM program.
Plant bugs, mainly the tarnished plant bug,
were a problem during the past two summers.
Preliminary results suggest a correlation
between fruit damage and drought at critical
periods, along with lack of suitable alternate
hosts including certain weeds. Studies on the
lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes
(Grote & Robinson), showed up to three peak
periods of activity. These peaks coincide
closely with peak periods of OFM activity,
suggesting that sprays for OFM control will
also suppress lesser peachtree borer
populations.

Monitoring predator-prey interactions in
orchards by serological methods. Antigens of
oriental fruit moth, codling moth, and
obliquebanded leafroller larvae in the ground
beetles Amara, Harpalus, and Pterostichus
species were detected by cross-over electro-
phoresis on cellulose acetate strips up to 72 h
after ingestion. Serological comparisons, how-
ever, revealed broad antigenic similarities

among species in five lepidopteran families
(Tortricidae, Gracillariidae, Lasiocampidae,
Geometridae, Noctuidae) found in apple
orchards. These antis'era also gave limited
reactions with beetle antigens. Genus-specific
antibodies, isolated by serum fractionation
and cross-absorption, are needed to identify
specific prey.

Ecology

Simulation model used as a predictive tool
in mite control. A simulation model for the
European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch),
was tested as a predictive tool for warning
fruitgrowers of potential mite problems. Mite
population curves were generated for four
climatic regions of Ontario: southwestern
Ontario, Norfolk county, Niagara Peninsula,
and Georgian Bay. The simulation model was
run with actual weather data from each of the
areas. The 2 wk predictions were based on
5-day-temperature forecasts plus 10 yr aver-
ages. Over the season seven predictions were
provided to OMAF extension horticulturists
in the four areas to forewarn them of the
expected dates of rapid population increase.
The predictions also indicated the optimum
dates for application of acaricide if necessary.
The prediction was generally more reliable for
the first 7 days of each 2 wk period.

Predictive model for the carrot rust fly. A
predictive model for the seasonal development
of carrot rust fly was produced by first
measuring insect development in the labora-
tory at five constant temperatures ranging
from 10 to 20°C. Based on a threshold
temperature of 3°C, egg hatch, larval develop-
ment, pupation, and adult emergence required
about 100, 450, 100, and 300 degree-days,
respectively. A total of 1010 degree-days was
required for continuous development from egg
to adult. As the temperature drops below 15°,
an increasing proportion of the pupating
insects enter diapause. Diapause appears to be
induced when exposure to low temperatures
occurs in the prepupal stage. Weather and
insect activity data collected from the Hol-
land Marsh for 7 yr were analyzed and fitted
into the predictive model. Results show that
seasonal development of the carrot rust fly
can be predicted very closely by summing
degree-days above the 3°C threshold. The
date of first adult emergence was predicted
within an average of 3.4 days by using air
temperature readings recorded on a Stevenson
screen over a 7 yr period; that for 10%

112

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

emergence was predicted within 1.3 days. Soil
temperatures allowed an even more accurate
predictive index. Emergence of the first
generation was predicted within an average of
1.5 days by using soil temperatures recorded
at 5 cm; predicted date for 10% emergence
varied from observed by less than a day.
Predicted date of second-generation emer-
gence was within an average of 1 .7 days of the
actual date when based on total accumulated
degree-days, and within 1.2 days if based on
degree-days accumulated after first emer-
gence of the first generation.

Chemical control

Evaluation of acaricides and insecticides.
In laboratory studies, dicofol-resistant Euro-
pean red mites were shown to have a 10-fold
cross-resistance to the experimental acaricide
XE333 (Chevron Chemical Co.) and 3- and
4-fold cross-resistance to the pyrethroids
cypermethrin and fenvalerate, respectively.
The dicofol-resistant mites are also resistant
to most organophosphorus compounds. The
pyrethroids were all highly toxic to the
predacious mite Amblyseius fallacis; in field
tests, however, permethrin allowed some
survivors. The acaricides XE333, CME 12301
(Celemerck, GMBH & Co.), and RO-12-
0470 (Maag Agrochemicals) caused females
of European red mite to lay sterile eggs. No
cross-resistance to the latter two acaricides
was apparent. The tentiform leaf miner,
Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fab.), was a
major problem in apple orchards, whether
under IPM program or not. Permethrin 25%
WP, 125 g/1000 L, with or without captafol
provided excellent control at Jordan, Ont.,
when applied shortly after first eggs were
deposited. A single treatment with methomyl
90% WP, 500 g/1000 L, was also effective
when approximately 50% of the deposited
eggs had hatched. Methomyl applied as late
as when mines were first observed also pro-
vided good kill of larvae within the mines but
necessitated extremely good coverage. Metho-
myl applied in late September greatly reduced
the numbers of larvae that were preparing to
pupate and overwinter in the leaves.

Pirimicarb, phosalone, and fenvalerate
were the best of 10 products assessed for
summer control of the green apple aphid,
Aphis pomi (deGeer). On an infestation
rating scale of 0-5, the average weekly ratings
4 wk after treatment were 0.16, 0.26, and

0.36 for pirimicarb, phosalone, and fenvaler-
ate, respectively. Average weekly ratings for
the standard, diazinon, and the check were
1.18 and 2.62, respectively. For the synthetic
pyrethroids cypermethrin, HC13279
(Hoechst Canada Inc.), and permethrin,
respectively, the ratings were 0.43, 0.45, and
0.47.

Sprays of permethrin, fenvalerate, or More-
stan (Bayer AG) applied for control of first-
generation psylla nymphs in pear orchards
provided excellent initial knockdown with
residual activity up to 5 wk for the latter two
and 7 wk for permethrin. When the second-
generation population was treated on 20 July,
control was only maintained for 3 wk. Small
numbers of pear rust mite, Epitrimerus pyri,
and pearleaf blister mite, Eriophyes pyri,
were found in all treated trees.

NEMATODES

Host-parasite relations

Hosts of Pratylenchus neglect us, Paraty-
lenchus project us, and Helicotylenchus di-
gonicus. In greenhouse pot trials, bean,
cucumber, and Kentucky blue grass were
hosts of P. neglectus and P. projectus. Of the
three nematodes only P. projectus thrived on
pea. Kentucky blue grass was the only host
for H. digonicus. Carrot, potato, and straw-
berry proved not to be hosts for the three
nematodes tested. Bean and cucumber are
new additions to the host lists of P. neglectus
and P. projectus. Bean is recommended as a
host for rearing large numbers of P. projectus
and P. neglectus, whereas Kentucky blue
grass is recommended for H. digonicus.

Effect of age of alfalfa root on penetration
by Pratylenchus penetrans. Two day old tis-
sue in the root hair zone was penetrated at
twice the rate of 10 day old or 20 day old
portions of the tap root. This difference was
also observed in lateral roots and was not
affected by the length of the incubation
period, the temperature, or by increasing the
number of nematodes from 1 to 10 per site.
Females and third-stage larvae entered the
root tissues, irrespective of age, at a rate of
122% and 83% faster, respectively, than did
males. All life stages penetrated the youngest
root tissue best. Age-related differences in the
rate of penetration according to plant age
were only significant with 3 wk old plants, not
with younger seedlings.

RESEARCH STATION. VINELAND STATION. ONT

113

Screening rye cultivars and breeding lines
for resistance to the root-lesion nematode
Pratylenchus penetrans. In greenhouse pot
tests, 66 cultivars and breeding lines of rye
were screened for resistance to the root-lesion
nematode. Ten cultivars and breeding lines
(DS 57-43, Pekka, Kings/Dakold, Sangaste/
Dakold, Frontier, Kustovaja, Dankowskie
Sztywne I, Dakold, WR5/Prolific, Lovaspoto-
nia/Petkus/ Dakold) supported less reproduc-
tion of the nematode than did Tetra Petkus,
the standard cultivar used in rotation with
flue-cured tobacco in southwestern Ontario.

Control

Chemical control of Pratylenchus pene-
trans in newly planted apple orchards. The
root lesion nematode, P. penetrans, has been
suspected of causing poor growth of trees in
newly planted apple orchards. Postplant gran-
ular applications of oxamyl, aldicarb, and
phenamiphos (all at 0.8 kg/ha) were applied
as 45 cm bands around the base of young
apple trees (Mcintosh on M26) for 3 yr
consecutively. At the end of this period, the
growth increases, relative to the untreated
control, were 3, 22, and 2%, respectively, for
the three materials. Four oversprays annually
with oxamyl L. (1.12 kg/ha) increased tree
growth appreciably: 16% in the untreated
control and 17, 29, and 15%, respectively, for
trees treated with the granular materials.
Root populations of P. penetrans were re-
duced significantly after the 3 yr period by all
treatments except oxamyl granular without
the oversprays. Applications of aldicarb gran-
ular and oxamyl foliar offer promise in
controlling this nematode and in promoting
tree growth during the establishment period
of young apple orchards.

Treatment of alfalfa seed with a systemic
nematocide. The effect of the systemic nema-
tocide, oxamyl, on germination of alfalfa seed
(cv. Saranac) was tested by soaking the seed
in aqueous solutions of oxamyl, drying, and
then planting in sterile soil inoculated with
Rhizobium. Four weeks after seeding, the
best seedling stands were from seed soaked in
aqueous oxamyl concentrations ranging from
4000 to 16 000 ppm; the largest seedlings
developed from seed treated with oxamyl at
concentrations of 4000 and 8000 ppm. Con-
centration of the oxamyl treatment had little
effect on nodulation. Individual seedlings
from each treatment were infested with a
single female of the root-lesion nematode, P.

penetrans, to determine the efficacy of the
oxamyl treatment. Severity of infection by P.
penetrans was inversely related to the concen-
tration of oxamyl treatment in the range of
2000 to 16 000 ppm; at 32 000 ppm no
infection occurred.

PLANT DISEASES
Fruit crops

Virus diseases of grapes. Both components,
middle (M) and bottom (B), of peach rosette
mosaic (grape decline) virus contain a single
protein with a molecular weight of 57 000
daltons. The average composition of nucleo-
tides in moles percent was 23.7 for guanine,
25.2 for adenine, 20.9 for cytidylic acid, and
30.4 for uridylic acid. The base percentages
for RNA-1 and RNA-2 determined sepa-
rately were only different for cytidylic acid.
The hyperchromic profile for the M compo-
nent was broader than that for B and the
melting point (Tm) was higher (M = 55°, B
= 48°). Only half of the particles were
dissociated at the Tm value. Freezing dissoci-
ated most of the M component into RNA-2
and protein but had no effect on the B
component. Sodium chloride protected the
particles from low-temperature disruption.

The enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) was a reliable and sensitive tech-
nique for detecting viruses in grapevines.
Fanleaf, arabis mosaic, tomato ringspot, and
tobacco ringspot viruses were identified in
infected grape leaves; fanleaf and arabis
mosaic viruses were distinguishable when
tested by the ELISA technique but not by the
agar immunodiffusion test. Tomato ringspot
virus was identified in vineyards of the
cultivars Chelois, Ventura, and Vincent and
tobacco ringspot in vines of Pinot Chardon-
nay. The diseases cause significant loss of crop
and are characterized by specific symptoms.

A COPI contract has been established with
the Ontario Grape Growers Marketing Board
so that virus-tested grapevines can be pro-
vided to the industry. The Board has con-
tracted to establish a 6.0 ha mother block of
virus-tested vines consisting of both rootstock
and scion varieties.

Reduction of copper toxicity in sweet
cherry. Premature defoliation in sweet cherry
trees sprayed with Bordeaux mixture for
control of bacterial canker was reduced by
amending sprays with rapeseed oil. The time

114

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

of 50% leaf drop was delayed with amended
sprays by 10-14 days on the cultivars Venus,
Vista, and Hedelfingen. Vegetable oils are
recommended for use with Bordeaux mixture
to prevent possible long-term effects on
growth and to limit winter injury due to
premature defoliation.

Tomato ringspot (TRSV) virus in peach.
The effect of TRSV on tree growth as judged
by increases in trunk diameter of peach
understocks was assessed under growth-room
conditions. Although all stocks were notice-
ably affected, the order of increasing injury
was Bailey, Harrow Blood, Elberta, Chui
Turn Tao, Siberian C, Halford, Rutgers Red
Leaf, and Lovell. The ELISA technique was
assessed and proved capable of detecting the
various strains (grape, apricot, peach) of
TRSV in peach tissues. It was up to 200 times
more sensitive than bioassay. The highest
virus titers were found in roots, followed by
leaves and shoots.

Botrytis bunch rot of grapes. Bunch rot of
grapes caused by Botrytis cinerea has become
especially serious in plantings of Vitis vinifera
and in some hybrid cultivars grown in On-
tario. In 1979, Pinot Chardonnay, Gamay
Beaujolais, and Johannesburg Riesling were
equally affected; 77% of the bunches were
infected and 20% of the crop was rotten by
late September. Fungicide programs employ-
ing mancozeb plus dinocap, captan, sulfur,
and chlorothalonil appeared to have no sup-
pressive effect on the disease. Cultures of B.
cinerea resistant to benomyl were identified in
five of ten vineyards, although fewer than six
applications of benzimidazole fungicides had
been made at each location during the past 3
yr. Iprodion may offer promise in combating
this disease.

Vegetable crops

Effect of seeding date on the incidence of
the aphid-transmitted carrot thin-leaf virus.
Younger carrots from the mid-June planting
had a higher incidence of virus infection than
did the older ones from the earliest planted
crop. Seventy-five percent of the carrots
sampled from the mid-June planting were
infected whereas 53% of those taken from the
planting in mid-May were affected. The roots
of virus-infected carrots were slightly smaller
than those of virus-free plants.

A simple regression equation for predicting
virus incidence in pepper in advance of

transplanting. A temperature-dependent re-
gression equation for the Niagara Peninsula
was developed to forecast the incidence of
aphid-transmitted virus diseases of peppers
before transplanting. Predicted virus inci-
dence values based on this equation were
within ± 5% of the observed field incidence at
11 of 13 locations monitored throughout
southern Ontario. The results suggest that the
equation has generally broader applicability
than just the region for which it was devel-
oped initially.

Effects of interplanting peppers with other
vegetable crops on virus incidence and aphid
populations. Incidence of aphid-transmitted
virus diseases in peppers was increased by
planting eggplant, cabbage, celery, or onion
either within or on the north or south sides of
experimental pepper plots planted in an east-
west direction. Magnitude of the increase was
dependent on the plant species used and their
location relative to the pepper planting. The
largest number of pepper plants was infected
when either onion or eggplant was used.
Aphid catches were generally reduced by
interplanting with these vegetables. No corre-
lation was apparent between total aphid
populations and virus incidence in mid-
September.

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) in
sweet corn. A virus not previously reported in
Canada was found in 1978 in Quebec in sweet
corn. The reaction of isolates on Johnson
grass, Dekald E59+ sorghum, and wheat
suggests that the virus is MDMV (strain A).
Electron micrographs of negatively stained
dip preparations of infected sweet corn re-
vealed the presence of long flexuous particles.
About 60% of the particles examined had a
length of 700-750 nm; the average width of
these particles was 12-15 nm. Ultrathin
sections of infected sweet corn contained
pinwheels, laminated aggregates, tubes, and
some dense bands in the cells, characteristic
of potyviruses of which MDMV is a member.

Pea root rot. The severity of pea root rot in
five fields in central Ontario increased with
the season. The Fusarium solani (Mart.)
App. & Wr. f. sp. pisi (F.R. Jones) Snyd. &
Hansen population in root tissues was related
directly to disease severity. This fungus did
not affect emergence of pea seedlings 10 days
after seeding in infected soil, but did cause
various levels of root rot 28 days after

RESEARCH STATION, VINELAND STATION, ONT.

115

transplanting. Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn re-
duced emergence of pea seedlings and caused
root rot on transplants. Although all the
Pythium species tested caused root rot, only
P. ultimum Trow and P. irregulare Buism.
reduced seedling emergence. Bacterial and
fungal antagonists of the pea root rot patho-
gens were isolated from the soil rhizosphere.

MECHANIZATION

Contract research

Peach harvester. The prototype harvester
developed in 1977 and 1978 was used to
harvest peaches and apples. Machine-har-
vested Babygold 5 peaches were 84.5%
processable whereas machine-harvested Sun-
cling peaches were 62.7% processable. Imma-
turity accounted for 17.2% of the loss of
Suncling but only 1.7% of the Babygold 5
peaches, suggesting that the latter variety is
more suitable for machine harvesting. Other
losses included those through the trunk seal,
fruit left in the tree, bruised fruit, culls and
rotted fruit, and preharvest drop. Prepicking
the trees reduced the amount of immature
fruit but increased thé labor component. An
economic model indicated that harvesting
losses by machine cannot exceed hand-picking
losses by more than 10% if machine harvest-
ing is to be economical.

Machine-harvested Spy and Greening ap-
ples graded as follows, respectively: No. 1
peelers, 39% and 39%; No. 2 peelers, 49% and
53%; and juice apples, 12% and 8%. Fruit
damage occurring during detachment, falling
through the tree, and on the catching surface
accounted for 88% of the damage to machine-
harvested apples.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM,
SMITHFIELD, ONT.

Vegetables

Tomato breeding. The cultivar Earlibright
(ST-42) was released as a high-yielding fresh-
market and whole-pack-processing tomato. It
matures several days ahead of New Yorker
and is comparable in early yields, but the
internal color is superior due to the high
crimson genes (ogc). Earlibright's crack
resistance and meaty interior give it better
shelf life than have other early varieties
tested. This small cored cultivar shows resist-
ance to blossom-end rot, yellow top, and

blotchy ripening. Total yield and maintenance
of fruit quality throughout harvest are
excellent.

Direct seeding of tomatoes. A cone seeder
gave 57% higher seedling counts and 35%
higher yields of direct-seeded tomatoes when
compared with two types of plug-mix seeders
and a gel seeder. Based on 2 yr of data with a
Newcastle loam, seeds and pregerminated
seedlings desiccated rapidly in the plug mixes.
In both years, planting directly into soil with
ungerminated seed was the most satisfactory
system.

Concentrated tomato strained products.
Firm and soft tomato varieties contain similar
amounts of total solids and soluble solids.
Some firm machine-harvest types have a
higher content of water-insoluble solids than
the less firm hand-pick tomato varieties. All
three solids fractions remain at fairly constant
levels throughout the season although there is
some decline later on. Canning, canned
storage, and additional boiling in the can
caused little or no change in solids content of
single-strength tomato juice.

Fruits

Cell wall and apple firmness. Selective
extraction of apple cortex tissue followed by
silver proteinate staining of the neutral poly-
saccharides gave good resolution of the cell
wall structure. Fruit softening and develop-
ment of a mealy texture were accompanied by
wall separation, enlargement of the intercellu-
lar spaces, and consequent rounding of cells.
Staining pattern and intensity were related to
the fruit firmness and storage characteristics
of the variety. Changes in ultrastructure, such
as low neutral polysaccharide levels in the
corners of cells, were associated with early
wall separation and fruit softening.

Calcium chloride dips extend shelf life of
Mcintosh. Mcintosh apples dipped in CaCl2
for 1 min prior to cold or controlled-atmo-
sphere storage for 5 mo were examined after
1, 10, and 16 days at room temperature.
Immediately after removal from storage the
dip had minimal effect on firmness. As the
fruit remained at room temperature the
untreated apples softened much more rapidly
than did those that were dipped. After 16
days, apples dipped in 4% CaCl2 were 0.6 kg
firmer than the control fruit.

Thinning Red Melba and Mcintosh with
ethephon. Ethephon at either 150 or 300 ppm

116

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

was applied to mature trees 25 or 35 days
after petal fall. The early application to Red
Melba reduced fruit set and increased fruit
size, with more response at the higher concen-
tration. The later spray required a higher
concentration to thin the trees but there was
no increase in fruit size.

Ethephon applied to Mcintosh was more
effective when applied early; the response was
related to concentration. The later spray did
not affect fruit size.

New apple cultivars. Three selections re-
sistant to apple scab were named. Britegold
(0-652) is a smooth, pale yellow, medium-
sized fruit which occasionally has some slight
blush of light red. The flesh is low in acid,
tending toward being sweet. Harvested about
1 October, the fruit can be stored for 2'/2 to 3
mo at 0°C. No russeting or prominent lenticel
spots have been observed.

Murray (0-628) is harvested the last week
of August. It is an attractive red apple. The
75-80% overcolor of lightly striped medium
to dark lively red covers a greenish yellow
ground color. The fruit has a juicy white flesh
with a fine texture, a moderate acidity, and a
pleasant flavor. Storage life for this early
apple is 4-6 wk at 0°C.

Trent (0-531) produces medium large fruit
similar in size to Mcintosh and has been
equivalent in production on M. robusta 5
rootstock. The 85% overcolor is a medium
dark lively red on a green yellow ground color.
Fruit cortex is creamy with a significant
greenish tinge indicative of the requirement
for a longer growing season than occurs in
eastern Ontario. Harvested in late October
the fruit can be stored for 8 mo at 0°C. The
flesh is slightly coarse, firm, and juicy, with
moderate acidity and medium quality.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Allen, W. R.; Dirks, V. A. 1979. The use of
rapeseed oil to reduce premature defoliation in
sweet cherry sprayed with Bordeaux mixture
for control of bacterial canker. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:487-489.

Chiba, M. 1979. Spectrophotometric determination
of Benomyl and Methyl 2-benzimidazole car-
bamate in product formulations by a low
temperature-solubilization technique. J. Assoc.
Off. Anal. Chem. 62:488-493.

Chiba, M. 1979. Use of ammonium or potassium
dihydrogen phosphate to protect pesticides in
spray mixtures prepared with alkaline waters.
J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:1023-1026.

Dias, H. F. 1 978. The properties of virus and RN A
components of the grape fanleaf and grape
Joannes-Seyve viruses. Proc. 6th Int. Counc.
Study of virus and virus diseases of the grape-
vine (Spain). Monogr. Inst. Nac. Invest.
Agrar. 18:37-40.

Fisher, R. W.; Menzies, D. R. 1979. Pickup of
phosmet wettable powder by codling moth
larvae {Laspeyresia pomonella) (Lepidoptera:
Olethreutidae) and toxicity responses of larvae
to spray deposits. Can. Entomol. 111:21 9-223.

Fuzzen, D.,R.; Bilanski, W. K.; Menzies, D. R.
1978. Ethephon: its effects on physical proper-
ties of Babygold Five peaches and its use as an
aid to mechanical harvesting. Can. Agric. Eng.
20:113-117.

Hagley, E. A. C. 1978. Integrated pest manage-
ment— insecticides and natural predator popu-
lations on apple. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont.
109:9-21.

Hagley, E. A. C; Monteith, L. G.; Heme, D. H. C;
Trottier, R. 1979. Pest population buildup in
apple orchards following omission of insecti-
cide and acaricide sprays. 1977. Proc. Ento-
mol. Soc. Ont. 108:7-11.

Heme, D. H. C; Cranham, J. E.; Easterbrook, M.
A. 1979. New acaricides to control resistant
mites. Pages 95-104 in Recent advances in
acarology. Vol. 1. Academic Press, New York,

N.Y.

Heme, D. C; Lund, C. T. 1979. Simulation model
of European red mite population dynamics
developed for a minicomputer. Can. Entomol.
111:499-507.

Holliday, N. J.; Hagley, E. A. C. 1979. Distribution
and density of carabid beetles (Coleoptera) in
a pest management apple orchard. Can. Ento-
mol. 111:759-770.

Kemp, W. G.; High, P. A. 1979. Identification of
carnation latent virus from naturally infected
hardy garden Dianthus species in North
America. Plant Dis. Rep. 63:51-54.

Lougheed, E. C; Murr, D. P.; Miller, S. R. 1979.
Effects of calcium and daminozide on ethylene
production and softening of apple fruits. Expe-
rientia 35:43-44.

RESEARCH STATION, VINELAND STATION, ONT.

117

Menzies, D. R. 1976. Friction coefficients of alfalfa
at high pressures. Can. Agric. Eng. 18:16-17.

Menzies, D. R. 1976. An instrumented test cham-
ber to compact fodder at high pressure. Can.
Agric. Eng. 18:18-20.

Menzies, D. R. 1978. Design of an experimental
sprayer for pesticide application studies in
orchards. Can. Agric. Eng. 20:87-89.

Menzies, D. R.; Fisher, R. W. 1979. The effect of
droplet volume median diameter and applica-
tion rate per hectare on coverage uniformity in
apple trees. Can. Agric. Eng. 21:15-18.

Menzies, D. R.; Fisher, R. W.; Neff, A. E. 1976.
Wear of hollow cone nozzles by suspensions of
wettable powders. Can. Agric. Eng. 18:14-15.

Menzies, D. R.; Pree, D. J.; Fisher, R. W.; Chish-
olm, D. 1979. Correlation of spray coverage
ratings and phosmet residues with mortality of
oriental fruit moth larvae. J. Econ. Entomol.

72:721-724.

Mohr, W. P. 1979. Pigment bodies in fruits of
crimson and high pigment lines of tomatoes.
Ann. Bot. 44:427-434.

Mohr, W. P. 1979. Silver proteinate staining of
neutral polysaccharides in apple cell walls:
implications relative to fruit firmness. J. Food
Technol. 14:521-526.

Olthof, T. H. A. 1979. The use of beans and
Kentucky bluegrass for rearing Pratylenchus
neglectus, Pratylenchus projectus and Helicot-
ylenchus digonicus. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:897-
898.

Olthof, T. H. A. 1979. Effects of Pratylenchus
penetrans and Meloidogyne hapla on potential
crops for the tobacco growing areas of south-
western Ontario. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1117-
1121.

Ormrod, D. P.; Kemp, W. G. 1979. Ozone response
of tomato plants infected with cucumber mo-
saic virus and/or tobacco mosaic virus. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:1077-1083.

Pree, D. J. 1979. Toxicity of phosmet, azinphos-
methyl, and permethrin to the oriental fruit
moth and its parasite, Macrocentrus ancyli-
vorus. Environ. Entomol. 8:969-972.

Pree, D. J. 1979. Toxicity of some insecticides to
eggs and larvae of the apple maggot in the
laboratory. 1977. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont.
108:45-48.

Reyes, A. A. 1979. Populations of the spinach wilt
pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spina-
ciae, in the root tissues, rhizosphere, and soil in
the field. Can. J. Microbiol. 25:227-229.

Ripley, B. D.; Lougheed, E. C; Miller, S. R. 1979.
Daminozide residues on orchard-treated ap-
ples. J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:1389-1391.

Townshend, J. L.; Potter, J. W. 1979. Inhibiting
infection of alfalfa seedlings by Pratylenchus
penetrans by treating seed with oxamyl. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:519-520.

Trottier, R.; Townshend, J. L. 1979. Influence of
soil moisture on apple maggot emergence,
Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Can. Entomol. 111:975-976.

Miscellaneous

Barker, K. R.; Townshend, J. L. et al. 1978.
Determining nematode population responses to
control agents. Pages 114-125 in Methods for
evaluating plant fungicides, nematicides, and
bactericides. Am. Phytopathol. Soc.

Bird, G. W.; Johnson, P. W.; Townshend, J. L. et
al. 1978. Site selection procedures for field
evaluation of nematode control agents. Pages
108-113 in Methods for evaluating plant fun-
gicides, nematicides, and bactericides. Am.
Phytopathol. Soc.

Chiba, M. 1979. Stop pesticide loss in spray
mixtures. Can. Agric. 24(3): 19-20.

Fisher, R. W. 1979. Vegetable row-crop spraying;
cole crops, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.
Proc. Ont. Hortic. Conf. 133-137.

Heeney, H. B. 1979. Research Report, Smithfield
Experimental Farm. 1978. Vol. 6, 50 pp.

Kemp, W. G. 1979. April weather can predict virus.
The Grower 28(12):20.

McGinnis, A. J. 1979. McGinnis outlines research
on fruits, vegetables. The Grower 29(8): 1 1.

Miller, S. R. 1979. Apples for juice. Proc. Ont.
Hortic. Conf. 4-8.

Mohr, W. P.; Adair, R. G. 1979. Juice extraction
studies with apples. Smithfield Exp. Farm
Tech. Bull. No. 1.

Olthof, T. H. A.; Ingratta, F. J. 1979. Nematode
problems in mushroom production. Can. Agric.
24(3):23-25.

Potter, J. W.; Olthof, T. H. A. 1979. Some fall-
maturing vegetables reduce nematode damage.
Cash Crop Farming 40:49-50.

Pree, D. J. 1979. Pest management program for
peaches. The Grower 29(2): 16.

Reyes, A. A. 1979. First occurrence of a severe
white leafspot on Chinese mustard in Canada.
Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:1-2.

118

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Voisey, P. W.; Mohr, W. P. 1979. Quality control Statistical Research Institute Report No.
test for tomato juice viscosity. Engineering and 7820-1-97. 40 pp.

RESEARCH STATION, VINELAND STATION, ONT. 119

Animal Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administration

R. S. Gowe, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
S. C. Thompson, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.
D. A. Léger, B.Sc.
D. L. Blakley, B.A.

J. R. Harrison, B.Sc.
G. R. Ford1

Director

Deputy Director
Assistant to the Director
Chief, Administration and

Resources
Administrative Officer, Finance
Administrative Officer, Personnel

Scientific Support

K. G. Hilson,2 B.Sc., M.Sc.

K. B. Last2

W. R. Watt,2 B.A.

S. G. Dykstra,3 B.A., B.L.S.

K. E. Hartin, D.V.M.

Project Manager, Computer
Services
Systems and programming
Systems and programming
Librarian
Veterinarian

Animal Waste Utilization

N. K. Patni, B.Ch.E., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Livestock waste
utilization and farm pollution
abatement

Trace Mineral and Beef Cattle Nutrition

M. Ivan, Ing., M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. Hidiroglou, D.V.M., Dip. Nutr.

W. A. Jordon, B.S.A.

D. M. Veira, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Nutrition and

metabolism of trace minerals
Vitamin D nutrition
Beef cattle management
Beef cattle nutrition

animal research institute

121

Dairy Cattle Breeding and Production

A. J. McAllister, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

T. R. Batra, B.V.Sc, M.V.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

J. P. Chesnais, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. J. Hackett, D.V.M., M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. J. Lee, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

G. J. Marcus, B.A., Ph.D.

J. Nagai, B.Sc, D.Agr.

Program Chairman; Dairy cattle

breeding and production, applied

quantitative genetics
Dairy cattle breeding, applied

quantitative genetics
Reproductive physiology
Dairy cattle breeding and

production, applied quantitative

genetics
Maternal-embryonic physiological

interactions
Quantitative genetics, mice

Dairy Cattle Nutrition

F. D. Salter, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.

J. D. Erfle, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
K. J. Jenkins, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. R. Lessard, B.A., B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
S. Mahadevan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. M. Teather, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Rumen

metabolism and nutrition
Rumen metabolism and nutrition
Young ruminant nutrition
Forage conservation and nutrition
Rumen biochemistry and ruminant

nutrition
Rumen microbiology

Swine Production

J. I. Elliot,4 B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. F. Fortin, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

D. W. Friend, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. A. Robertson,5 B.Sc, Ph.D., Ch.Chem.,

F.R.I.C, F.R.S.E.
N. K. Sarkar, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.Sc

Program Chairman; Artificial

rearing and sow nutrition
Carcass evaluation
Sow nutrition and reproduction
Female reproductive physiology

Protein synthesis

Poultry Breeding

J. S. Gavora, Ing., C.Sc

J. R. Chambers, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. W. Fairfull, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. S. Gowe, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

A. A. Grunder, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Genetics of

disease resistance
Quantitative genetics, meat

production
Quantitative genetics, egg

production
Biochemical genetics

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

K G. Hollands, B.A., B.S.A., MSA.
C. P. W. Tsang, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Physiological genetics

Metabolism and assay of hormones

Poultry Nutrition

R. M. G. Hamilton, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

N. A. G. Cave, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

I. R. Sibbald,6 B.Sc (Agr), M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Nutrition and
physiology, eggshell quality

Amino acids and proteins, broiler
breeder nutrition and management

Avian energetics and feedingstuff
evaluation

Sheep Production

D. P. Heaney, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

L. Ainsworth, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. S. Fiser, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. A. Langford, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Nutrition and
management

Female reproductive physiology
Male reproductive physiology
Male reproductive physiology

Animal Feed Safety and Nutrition

H. L. Trenholm, B.Sc, Ph.D.

M. H. Akhtar, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
E. R. Farnworth, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
T. S. Foster, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. K. G. Kramer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program Chairman; Mycotoxins,
toxicology
Pesticide metabolism and residues
Nutrition and metabolism
Pesticide metabolism and residues
Lipid chemistry and biochemistry

Departures

J. D. Cipera, Ing., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Retired December 1979
W. D. Roubos,7 B.Sc.

Resigned November 1979

Biochemistry of eggshell formation
Beef cattle management

VISITING SCIENTISTS

G. Salyi, D.V.M.

Cent. Vet. Inst., Budapest, Hungary
M. J. Schang, Ing., M.Sc.

Natl. Inst. Agr. Tech., Pergamino, Argentina

Trace mineral nutrition and
toxicology
Feedingstuff evaluation

animal research institute

123

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council postdoctorate fellows

R. J. Dwyer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Hormone production by the

1977-1979 embryo

R. J. Boila, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. Nonprotein nitrogen sources and

1978-1980 ruminant function

Graduate students

J. A. Carnegie, B.Sc, M.Sc. Reproductive physiology

D. V. Gill, B.Sc. Reproductive physiology

F. Levine, B.Sc. Reproductive physiology

'Appointed March 1979.

"Seconded from Data Processing Division, Finance and Administration Branch.
Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

'Seconded to the Planning and Evaluation Directorate, Research Branch, April to May 1979.
"On leave at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Kartoum, Kartoum, Sudan, May to July 1979.
"On transfer of work at Animal Research Council, Poultry Research Center, Edinburgh, Scotland, August 1979 to

July 1980.
"Seconded to Experimental Farm, Kapuskasing, Ontario.

124 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Animal Research Institute is the main Canadian center for research on breeding and
selection of dairy cattle, sheep, and poultry; it also has major research programs on the
nutrition of dairy cattle, swine, sheep, beef cattle, and poultry, as well as basic research
programs on animal waste utilization and management, trace minerals, ruminant physiology,
and animal feed safety and nutrition. The nine research program teams are generally
multidisciplinary and are comprised of scientists with a broad range of scientific expertise and
background. Both applied research and the necessary basic research are carried out by these
teams.

The Animal Research Institute continues to devote a large effort to studying the problems
of intensively housed and managed cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry. Scientists of several
disciplines — in particular genetics, nutrition, and reproductive physiology — are involved in
both multidisciplinary and single-disciplinary studies to resolve the problems associated with
intensively housed animals. As a corollary of this work, studies continue on optimizing the
utilization of animal wastes by recycling them through crops for animal feeds.

In 1979 a minor reorganization of the program team structure was completed with the
amalgamation of the rapeseed oil nutrition and pesticide residues programs into the animal
feed safety and nutrition program. Currently members of this group are completing work on
the nutritional quality of rapeseed oil and the associated work on the metabolism of saturated
and unsaturated fats and oils. They are also studying the effects of naturally occurring
agricultural toxicants such as mycotoxins and their effect on the performance of livestock and
poultry. Two scientists continue to investigate the metabolic pathways and tissue retention of
the more widely used livestock pesticides to ensure they are not harmful or retained in animal
products.

Significant progress was made in 1979 in a number of research areas. The key advances
were the following: the vitamin D requirement for ruminants fed forage in northern latitudes
was established; the toxic effects on pigs of the corn mycotoxin zearalenone were shown; and
the highly significant and important effect of subclinical lymphoid leukosis on poultry
production was defined. An external review of the long-term national cooperative dairy cattle
breeding project examined progress to date and recommended continuation of this major
research project. Further details on these and other research areas are contained in this annual
report.

In September, the Poultry Science Association awarded the prestigious American Feed
Manufacturers' Association Award for 1979 to Dr. Ian Sibbald for his outstanding research in
poultry nutrition. Dr. Sibbald has developed a bioassay technique for routine evaluation of the
energy content of poultry feeds; the technique is a significant improvement over conventional
procedures and it is being extended to assess the availability of amino acids in feedingstuffs.

Institute staff are becoming increasingly involved as scientific authorities for various
federal contract research programs and projects with private companies and universities.
Contract research is playing an important role, together with government in-house research, in
solving problems facing Canadian agriculture. The Institute is developing contract research
programs in the areas of reproductive physiology, swine nutrition, ruminant nutrition, and
livestock feed from waste. Some of this work is reported on in the following pages.

The sophisticated feed mill at the Greenbelt Farm was brought into full operation this
past year and it extends the research capability of the Institute to a significant degree, making
it possible to study some aspects of animal production and feeding not previously feasible.
Construction of the new isolation barn was also completed in the past year. It will further
protect the health status of the Animal Research Institute herds and facilitate the introduction
of animals after appropriate quarantine periods.

This annual report records highlights of the Institute's accomplishments in the nine
program areas in 1979. More detailed information can be obtained from the publications listed
at the end of the report. Reprints of the publications and copies of this report are available on
request from the Animal Research Institute, Headquarters Building, Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A 0C6.

R. S. Gowe
Director

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE 125

ANIMAL WASTE UTILIZATION
PROGRAM

Tile drainage water from manured and
fertilized fields

Dairy cattle liquid manure (DCLM) was
applied at an annual rate of about 250 kg of
nitrogen per hectare, each spring and fall for
a 4 yr period, on three corn fields (4.1, 5.6,
and 27.5 ha). About 55-75% nitrogen (N),
75-85% phosphorus (P), and 50-75% potas-
sium (K) applied in the manure each year
could not be accounted for by crop uptake and
tile drainage. The latter removed less than
about 10% N, 0.3% P, and 2.0% K of the
applied amounts. Continued manure applica-
tions at moderate rates did not appear to have
any great effect on the physical and chemical
quality of the tile drainage water except for
nitrate nitrogen (N03-N). Mean annual con-
centrations of N03-N in the three manured
fields and one chemically fertilized field were
related to nitrogen application history.

Surface drainage water from an intensively
cropped area

Surface water quality and nutrient and
pollutant transport to it were studied for a 4
yr period in a 694 ha, largely tile-drained land
area, which was cropped with silage and grain
corn, legumes, and grasses and into which
large quantities of manure were annually
incorporated under a controlled management
program. Water quality was generally better
than acceptable Canadian levels for public
water supplies. The range of annual unit area
contributions to drainage water expressed in
kilograms per hectare per year were: total
solids 430-1050; suspended solids 50-400;
total N 1 1-24; N03-N 8-19; total P 0.4-0.8;
and K8-16.

Pipeline transportation of liquid manure

Pipeline pressure drops and pump charac-
teristics were determined for a system to
pump relatively thick DCLM, containing
5-10% total solids, from an animal barn to a
distant field storage site through a 914 m
long, 100 mm diameter polyethylene pipe.
One specific pump was identified which was

capable of pumping the manure slurry at 16-
22 L/s through the above system. The ob-
served pipeline friction losses were substan-
tially greater than those reported in the
literature for similar manure types and pipe
size; however, the reported test systems
usually consisted of recirculation of the
manure through the pump and the pipe test-
section.

Surface water quality and time and rate of
manure application

In a cooperative project with Engineering
and Statistical Research Institute and Land
Resource Research Institute, plot studies were
conducted on the relative effects of time and
rate of application of DCLM on water quality
in corn fields. Over a 5 yr period, winter-
applied manure resulted in substantially
higher concentrations of N, P, and K in spring
surface runoff, compared to spring, fall, and
spring/fall applications.

TRACE MINERAL AND BEEF
CATTLE NUTRITION PROGRAM

Beef production systems in the Northern
Claybelt area

In studies at the Kapuskasing Experimental
Farm, three groups of cows calving in March
and April were fed formic acid-treated grass
silage during the winter. In the spring, one
group remained in the barn and was fed silage
ad libitum. The other two groups were pas-
tured in fields fertilized with N at 80 or 160
kg/ha. The cows were stocked at a rate of 1.5
cows per hectare on a 20 yr old permanent
pasture containing red fescue, timothy, and
Canada bluegrass. During the grazing season,
24 May to 1 October, calves gained 1.08,
1.16, and 1.20 kg/day when their dams were
kept inside or grazed on pastures fertilized
with N at 80 or 160 kg/ha, respectively. The
weight changes of the cows were similar for
all treatments. These results reinforce pre-
vious data, indicating that at this stocking
rate there is no benefit from increasing
pasture N fertilization above 80 kg/ha.

Direct-cut, formic acid-treated grass silage
was fed ad libitum during the winter for 218
days to 36 Shorthorn x Hereford steers. The

126

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

silage was cut on 27 June, 19 July, or 16
August. The steers fed these silages gained
0.71, 0.42, and 0.35 kg/day, respectively, and
had feed conversion ratios of 9.0, 14.3, and
17.3 kg dry matter per kilogram gained. The
results show the impact of date of cutting of
grass upon the quality of the resulting silage.
However, weight gains observed last year with
silages made on 14 June and 10 July were
superior to those observed this year with the
silage cut on 27 June. Clearly, year-to-year
variation in silage quality can be great and
the date of cutting, while important, is not a
completely reliable indicator of the nutritional
value of silage.

Previously, it has been observed that year-
ling heifers lose weight when they are first put
on pasture. This weight loss was further
examined by putting three groups of 14
heifers out to pasture, on 22 May, 5 June, and
19 June. The heifers initially weighed an
average of 320 kg and during the 1st wk on
pasture they lost 11,9, and 7% of their body
weight. It took 5 wk or more to return to their
original weight. The degree of weight loss was
related to the maturity of the grass at the time
the heifers were first put on pasture. The
cause of the weight loss is not known but a
reduction in fecal dry matter was observed,
which could be an indication of a digestive
upset, possibly caused by the sudden change
in diet.

Manganese nutrition and metabolism

Studies showed that feeding pregnant ewes
a manganese (Mn) deficient diet may result in
leg-joint abnormalities in their newborn
lambs. Manganese affects the mucopolysac-
charide and protein composition of the epiph-
yseal plate of the joint, and Mn supplementa-
tion in diets of dams is necessary to obtain
normal development of bones and subsequent
optimal growth in the offspring. However,
oversupplementation of diets with Mn (>300
ppm) may result in decreased growth and
feed efficiency. Feeding increased levels of
Mn to sheep has shown a proportional in-
crease of Mn in the rumen bacteria and
protozoa. With bacteria the increase was
higher in the cell walls than in the cytoplasm.
It is evident that dietary Mn oversupplemen-
tation in the ruminant results in decreased
biological availability and absorption of Mn
due to higher incorporation into bacterial cell
walls which are poorly digested. Only 21% of
the total Mn content in the rumen of sheep

was found in the soluble fraction regardless of
dietary concentration of Mn.

Concentration of liposoluble vitamins in the
blood of cattle

Blood profiles for 25-hydroxyvitamin D
(25-OHD), a metabolite of vitamin D, and for
vitamins A and E have been established in
beef cattle winter-fed oat silage, grass silage,
or hay at the Kapuskasing Experimental
Farm. During the winter, plasma 25-OHD
decreased in all groups, with the decrease
much greater in the heifers fed oat silage than
in those fed grass silage or hay. At the end of
winter, plasma 25-OHD in the oat silage-fed
heifers approached levels that were suggestive
of vitamin D deficiency. A single intramuscu-
lar injection of vitamin D3 increased plasma
25-OHD in all groups, with the heifers on
grass silage being more responsive to the
injection than those on oat silage or hay.
Weight gains were improved by the injection
of vitamin D3 in heifers on oat silage.

Cement kiln dust supplements for ruminant
diets

In experiments in the United States, im-
provements in ruminant weight gain and feed
efficiency were obtained by dietary supple-
mentation with cement kiln dust from a plant
in Georgia. To assess effects of cement kiln
dusts of Canadian origin, material obtained
from two separate sources was fed to growing
lambs. No beneficial effects were obtained
from the two Canadian cement kiln dust
supplements.

DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING AND
PRODUCTION PROGRAM

National cooperative dairy cattle breeding
project

Results from the pureline foundation phase
for the H line are based on the progeny of
Research Branch, Canadian, and U.S. Hol-
stein bulls mated to Research Branch Hol-
stein cows. The A line females of this phase
are progeny of Canadian, U.S., Finnish, and
Research Branch Ayrshire bulls, Brown Swiss
bulls, and Norwegian Red bulls mated to
Research Branch Ayrshire cows. The oldest
animals in this phase have completed five
lactations while the youngest are completing
their third. Detailed analyses comparing the
different sire groups in each line have been

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

completed for many traits. Results for heifer
growth and reproduction and first-lactation
milk, butterfat, and protein yields are summa-
rized in this annual report.

Though the H line progeny of the Canadian
Holstein bulls were larger at birth than the
U.S. or Research Branch progeny (41.2 kg
versus 40.9 and 39.8 kg), their weight at 574
days of age was slightly smaller (436 kg
versus 447 and 443 kg, respectively). The
outside breeds used in the foundation A line
matings were chosen to broaden the genetic
base of the line and to improve size and milk
yield. Brown Swiss progeny were the largest
at birth (36.3 kg) and had superior growth
through first freshening. Growth was similar
for all outside groups through 238 days of
age. From 238 to 574 days of age the Brown
Swiss and Norwegian Red progeny grew at a
more rapid rate and were the largest at first
calving. Average first-calving weights were
437, 426, 402, 415, 408, and 413 kg for the
Brown Swiss, Norwegian Red, Research
Branch, Canadian, U.S., and Finnish Ayr-
shire progeny, respectively.

All project heifers are bred at the first heat
occurring after 350 days of age. The average
ages at first heat for the Canadian, U.S., and
Research Branch Holsteins were 333, 322,
and 342 days of age, respectively. However,
the three groups did not differ in age at first
calving or services per conception. First heat
occurred from 1 8 to 45 days later in the A line
groups except the Norwegian Red, which had
an average age at first heat of 336 days. The
average age at calving for the A line groups
ranged from 692 to 699 days of age with
services per conception ranging from 1.7 to
2.1.

As expected, progeny of both the Canadian
and U.S. Holstein proven bulls, selected on
milk proof, had higher milk, fat, and protein
yields than the daughters of the untested
young Research Branch bulls which came
from a previous selection project for total
solids. The most significant result of this
phase of the project comes from the first-
lactation milk, fat, and protein yields of the
various A line groups. While there were no
differences among the Ayrshire groups, the
Norwegian Red progeny produced about 600,
20, and 15 kg more milk, fat, and protein,
respectively, than any of the Ayrshire groups
and about 300 kg more milk than the Brown
Swiss progeny.

Field test of Finnish Ayrshires

Proven Finnish and Canadian Ayrshire
bulls were compared in Canadian Ayrshire
herds. Macdonald College of McGill Univer-
sity, the University of Guelph, and the
Animal Research Institute, in cooperation
with breeders and artificial breeding units in
Ontario and Quebec, made the test matings.
A total of 130 daughters of the three Cana-
dian bulls tested and 87 daughters of the four
Finnish bulls tested completed first-lactation
records. Daughters of Canadian bulls pro-
duced 173 kg more milk and 1.6 kg more milk
fat than daughters of Finnish bulls. The breed
class average (BCA) values, which adjust for
age at calving, showed a 4 BCA superiority of
daughters of Canadian bulls for milk, but the
difference for milk fat was negligible.

Bull progeny tests in France

Studies are continuing with Research
Branch Holstein bulls which are being com-
pared to several groups of Black and White
bulls in use in France for various traits in both
male and female progeny. About 15 young
males from the eight Research Branch bulls
and an equal number from the other Black
and White bulls currently in use were
slaughtered for detailed carcass measure-
ments. Measurements included liveweight,
warm and cold carcass weight, carcass length,
dressing percentage, sirloin and rump thick-
ness, percentage of lean, fat and bone at the
11th rib, weight of internal organs, and the
carcass grade as per the European Economic
Community standards. These data along with
growth and feed efficiency data are currently
being analyzed by the French scientists.
Recording of milk yield on the daughters is
proceeding as planned with at least 50
daughters per bull.

Breeding studies using record of
performance data

Records-in-progress from Ayrshire, Guern-
sey, Holstein, and Jersey first-lactation cows
were used to predict 305-day records using
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
extension factors. The differences between the
actual and projected yields were positive
indicating that USDA extension factors were
underestimating both milk and fat yields for
the four breeds. For the Holstein breed,
phenotypic correlations between the projected
records-in-progress and actual 305-day milk
yields increased from 0.44 for up to 29 days in

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

milk to 0.98 for 270-304 days in milk. Similar
correlations were also observed for the other
breeds. The results of this study suggest that
the USDA extension factors, when used on
the Canadian data, underestimate 305-day
milk and fat yields from shorter partial
records for the four dairy breeds studied.
More accurate extension factors are required.

Pilot genetic studies with mice

Genetic principles fundamental to the
current dairy cattle crossbreeding experi-
ments are under investigation using mice.

Eight lines from two random-bred popula-
tions of mice, different in milk production or
adult weight, or both, were used to evaluate
the growth, feed efficiency, and lifetime
performance of the eight lines and 16 of their
F, crosses. Growth and feed efficiency were
examined over the period from weaning (day
21) to maturity (day 63). Lifetime perform-
ance was measured as the total body weight of
litters raised to weaning by a female during
the 200 days after mating (day 63), with each
litter being standardized to nine young at
birth. Lines and crosses did not differ in
growth measured as day 63 body weight (32.6
g versus 33.0 g, respectively) or feed efficiency
(8.2% versus 8.3%, respectively, between days
21 and 63) but they differed in the lifetime
performance (589 g versus 649 g). Heterosis
in the lifetime performance for the various
crosses ranged from -45 to -1-178 g. Line
crosses between populations showed a larger
heterosis than line crosses within populations.
Crosses from lines selected for increased milk
production or adult weight or both had a
smaller heterosis and lifetime performance
than crosses from the unselected control lines.
The latter crosses showed a persistent produc-
tion throughout lifetime. Data on growth and
feed efficiency were further examined to
compare genetic parameter estimates from
three different genetic analyses (models).
Correlation coefficients of line ranking ranged
from 0.87 to 0.97 for breeding values and
maternal genetic effects. The methods yielded
similar estimates of the genetic parameters
required to predict crossbred performance.

Monitoring the reproductive status of the
postpartum cow

Rectal palpation was used to monitor the
reproductive status of the postpartum dairy
cow by examination of all nonpregnant cows
in the herd every 28 days. To December 1979,

examinations have been carried out on 524
cows. Preliminary analyses indicate that only
52% of the cows have been observed in estrus
between parturition and 56 days postpartum,
and conceptions to first service, as diagnosed
by rectal palpation, average about 50%.
Cystic ovarian degeneration or cystic ovaries
occurred in 19% of the older cows and 6% of
the first-calf heifers with no differences
observed among the H and A lines or cross-
breds. Most cysts appear to regress
spontaneously.

Maternal recognition of pregnancy and
hormone synthesis by the conceptus

Intact cells of the pregnant sheep uterus
were found to synthesize three major prostag-
landins; E2, F2a, and prostacyclin, which are
not produced by the nonpregnant uterus on
the corresponding days of the estrous cycle.
The same substances are produced by the
embryo. Prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin
stimulate steroid formation. It is thought that
if the embryo stimulates prostaglandin forma-
tion by the uterus, then it may both directly
and indirectly affect the ovary ensuring the
maintenance of pregnancy.

DAIRY CATTLE NUTRITION
PROGRAM

Use of urea in dairy cattle rations

Urea added to corn silage and fed with
concentrate in a complete diet containing 12-
13% crude protein (CP) supported milk
production at a level comparable to a diet
supplemented with soybean meal. An experi-
ment was designed to establish if urea can be
used by the cow when fed in corn silage in a
complete diet containing 15% CP. All diets
were supplemented with soybean meal to
provide 12-13% CP. Two diets were increased
from 12% to 15% CP by the addition of either
soybean meal or fish meal. A third diet was
increased to 15% CP with urea-treated corn
silage, and the fourth diet at 12-13% CP was
the control. All diets were fed free choice.
Preliminary results show that rumen ammo-
nia concentrations are higher for cows fed
15% CP than for those fed 12-13% CP. A
higher concentration of rumen ammonia was
observed in cows fed the 15% CP diet supple-
mented with soybean meal as compared to
that containing fish meal. Rumen microbial
numbers were higher in rumen fluid from

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

129

cows consuming soybean meal diets than
those consuming diets containing fish meal.
Production parameters in these different diets
are being measured.

All-silage forage rations for growing heifers
and lactating dairy cows

One hundred heifers were fed a forage
ration composed of 40% corn silage and 60%
(dry matter basis) formic acid-treated direct-
cut alfalfa silage from 56 to 574 days of age.
A control group received 40% corn silage,
20% wilted silage, and 40% hay. Both groups
received equal quantities of a calf starter to
182 days and a calf grower from 183 to 350
days of age. Forage consumption was similar
for the two rations. Average weight gains of
0.78 kg/day were observed for the all-silage
forage rations in comparison with 0.75 kg/day
for the control ration; this difference was
significant (P < 0.05). A corresponding
difference in body development was observed,
but no differences were noted in fertility,
health, or reproduction. It was concluded that
heifers can be raised successfully on a forage
mixture consisting of corn silage and formic
acid-treated alfalfa silage, without the use of
hay.

In a similar experiment, with a rolling
average of 240 cows kept under complete
confinement in four pens of a loose housing
barn and fed complete diets, two groups
received a ration consisting of 30% formic
acid-treated direct-cut alfalfa silage, 30%
corn silage, and 40% of a 12.5% crude protein
grain-mineral mix (treatment 1). Another
two groups were fed a mixture of 38% corn
silage, 15% wilted silage, 7% hay, and 40% of
a 21% crude protein concentrate (treatment
2). Dry matter intake for treatment 1 was
16.0 kg/day compared to 17.6 kg/day on
treatment 2. Corresponding milk production
data over 499 lactations were 5490 and 5680
kg per lactation for Holstein cows and 4360
and 4470 kg for Ayrshire cows. No difference
in health, fertility, or reproduction were
observed between the two treatments. It was
concluded that formic acid-treated silage can
supply a large proportion of the protein and
energy required by lactating cows, and that
hay can be eliminated from the diet. Some
decrease in dry matter intake may result from
feeding an all-silage ration.

Rumen bacteriology

The nucleus of a bacterial-type culture
collection has been established and optimal
methods for long-term storage are being
determined. At present 27 bacterial strains,
representing 23 bacterial species, have been
obtained from the American Type Culture
Collection or from other laboratories. An
additional 118 strains, including 30 cellulo-
lytic organisms, have been isolated. Simplified
methods for the classification of new isolates
are being developed using a combination of
conventional biochemical techniques and
more recently developed analytical methods
such as sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis and computer data
processing.

Studies on the distribution and taxonomic
significance of plasmids in rumen bacteria are
in progress. It has been found that plasmids
are commonly found in many rumen bacteria
species and it appears likely that these
plasmids may play an important role in
determining the properties of individual
bacteria.

Forage evaluation

The two-stage Tilley and Terry technique
(incubation with rumen fluid followed by an
acid-pepsin digestion), used to estimate dry
matter digestibility (DMD) of forage in vitro,
was evaluated with oven-dried corn silage as a
substrate. As the quantity of substrate used
per incubation was increased from 0.1 to 3 g,
the percent DMD decreased in a linear
fashion. Continuous shaking of tubes resulted
in a more rapid attainment of maximum
DMD values for a given quantity of substrate
as compared to mixing the incubation con-
tents twice daily. The disappearance of dry
matter (DM) was related to the appearance
of volatile fatty acids (VFA) during a 48 h
incubation. With 0.1 g corn silage, 96% of the
DM which disappeared could be accounted
for as VFA. As the quantity of corn silage in
the incubation increased, the production of
VFA also increased; however, the quantity of
DM which could be accounted for as VFA fell
slightly. The volume of rumen fluid inoculum,
as well as the number of microbes contained
therein, was found to influence the extent of
DMD of corn silage.

130

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Preruminant calf nutrition

An in vitro study was conducted on the
proteolytic efficacy of 10 separate proteinases
for nine milk and four nonmilk proteins
commonly used in calf milk replacers. The
objective was to obtain some insight into the
observed differences in digestibility of various
proteins in calves and an indication of which
proteases might be added to replacers to
improve digestibility of nonmilk proteins.
Immediately after feeding, when the pH of
the calf stomach contents is 6.1, pepsin had
some proteolytic activity on milk proteins but
not on soy, fish, or rapeseed proteins. At 5 h
after feeding, when the pH is 2.0, pepsin had
good hydrolytic activity on all proteins tested.
The other stomach proteinase, rennet (chymo-
sin), had only slight activity and solely on the
milk proteins. Trypsin and chymotrypsin, the
enzymes secreted into the small intestine of
the calf, had good proteolytic activity on milk
proteins and fair activity on nonmilk protein
substitutes at pH 6.1 or higher. The commer-
cial enzymes pronase and papain hydrolyzed
all proteins extensively. The results suggest
that it may be beneficial, when calf milk
replacers contain poorly digestible nonmilk
protein concentrates, to predigest the proteins
with pronase or papain or add these enzymes
to the diets.

Protein degradation in the rumen

Dietary proteins are known to be exten-
sively degraded in the rumen. However, a
certain amount of dietary protein escapes this
degradation and reaches the small intestine
for further digestion and absorption. This
protein is call bypass protein and the amount
varies with different feed proteins. Currently
there is growing emphasis on formulating feed
with high bypass protein. Protein solubility
has been equated to degradability, with the
suggestion that soluble proteins are com-
pletely degraded whereas insoluble proteins
are not. Feeds are formulated on the basis of
protein solubility. The validity of these as-
sumptions was investigated using rumen
bacterial protease and a variety of soluble and
insoluble proteins. The results show that
proteins such as serum albumin and ribonu-
clease A are highly soluble, but they were
resistant to hydrolysis; the soluble and insolu-
ble proteins of soybean meal were hydrolyzed
at almost identical rates; the soluble proteins
from soybean meal, rapeseed meal, fishmeal,
and casein were hydrolyzed at different rates.

In a further study, serum albumin, ribonucle-
ase A, insoluble fishmeal, and insoluble
rapeseed meal proteins were treated with
mercaptoethanol in 8 M urea or oxidized with
performic acid. These chemical treatments
are known to specifically disrupt disulfide
cross-linkages in proteins. Following these
treatments, the resistant proteins became
quite susceptible to hydrolysis by rumen
bacterial protease even though there was no
change in their solubility. It was concluded
that solubility or insolubility of a protein by
itself is not an indication of its susceptibility
or resistance to hydrolysis by rumen protease.

SWINE PRODUCTION PROGRAM

Development and maintenance of minimal-
disease herd for intensive research

The minimal-disease herd established in
1977 is now in the fourth generation and
continues to be free from rhinitis, virus
pneumonia, and internal and external para-
sites. The incidence of noninfectious post-
weaning scours is minimal. An agreement was
concluded with the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food to supply 120 bred gilts
from this herd to establish a new minimal-
disease herd at the University of Guelph.

Age at puberty in gilts

Gilts fed ad libitum reached puberty at a
significantly (P < 0.05) younger age than
gilts restricted-fed twice daily (158 versus 172
days of age), confirming an earlier obser-
vation.

Under an Institute-supported research con-
tract, the effect of age at puberty on carcass
composition at 109 kg was investigated at the
University of Alberta. Gilts that came into
puberty prior to attaining slaughter weight
grew more slowly (P < 0.001) than those not
attaining puberty. Within the group that did
attain puberty, the fastest growing gilts
attained puberty at the youngest age. There
were no differences in carcass composition at
109 kg. Selection of gilts for early maturity
could result in a reduction in growth rate to
market weight and possibly an eventual
reduction in mature body size.

Energy protein requirements for pregnancy
in the once-bred gilt

Gilts bred at first estrus were fed a stan-
dard sow ration at either 1.8 kg/day or 0.45

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

131

kg/day from day 100 of gestation. Piglets
were removed at birth and the gilts
slaughtered, either within 48 h of farrowing
or after a 10 day refeeding period, and their
carcasses were assessed as to quality and
acceptability. The gilts averaged 171.3 days
of age and 102.6 kg at first estrus. Those
receiving 1.8 kg/day throughout gestation
farrowed 8.3 live-born pigs with an average
birthweight of 1.15 kg, while those restricted
to 0.45 kg/day from day 100 of gestation
farrowed 8.4 live-born pigs with an average
birth weight of 1.17 kg. A 10 day postpartum
refeeding period did not conclusively resolve
the tough meat problem previously encoun-
tered. Although loin samples were tougher
than those from control animals, ham samples
were not.

Gestation feeding level and the newborn pig

Gilts fed 1.36 kg/day from breeding to day
85 of gestation were allocated to two groups:
the controls continued on 1.36 kg/day
whereas the test group was restricted to 0.45
kg/day to farrowing. Feeding level from day
85 of gestation significantly (P < 0.001)
affected weight gain of the gilts with the
restricted gilts losing 3.2 kg while control gilts
gained 15.0 kg. Litter size was not affected;
however, total weight of live-born piglets was
reduced in the restricted group. Prenatal feed
restriction significantly (P < 0.05) reduced
individual piglet birth weight (1.1 versus 0.9
kg), liver weight (32.9 versus 26.0 g), and
skeletal muscle weight (8.9 versus 7.1 g and
2.1 versus 1.6 g for the longissimus and
semitendinosus muscles, respectively) and
liver and muscle glycogen concentrations
(15.1 versus 13.9 g, 10.1 versus 9.4 g, and 9.9
versus 9.4 g per 100 g wet tissue for the liver
and longissimus and semitendinosus muscles,
respectively). Piglets born to restricted dams
also had a lower (P < 0.05) blood pH (7.31
versus 7.23) and higher (P < 0.01) blood
lactate levels (43.8 versus 7 1 .3 mg/ 1 00 mL).

Nutrient requirements of the early-weaned
Pig

Under an Institute-sponsored research con-
tract, a basal semipurified diet suitable for
studying the amino acid requirements of the
neonatal pig was developed at the University
of Guelph. This diet provided 40% of the
dietary protein as skim milk powder and the
remainder as purified amino acids. Using this
diet the lysine requirement of the 14 day old

piglet was found to be 1.2% of the diet.
Similarly, the methionine requirement was
found to be 1.2% of the diet. Similarly, the
methionine requirement was found to be
0.27% of the diet when cystine and choline
were in adequate supply.

Separation and concentration of porcine
gamma globulin from abattoir blood

Studies continued to develop a continuous-
flow system for the separation and concentra-
tion of porcine gamma globulin from abattoir
blood to replace the currently used batch
process based on ammonium sulfate precipita-
tion. The time required for dialysis of the
serum was reduced by a factor of 50 through
the use of continuous-flow electrodialysis.
Separation of the gamma globulin fraction
from the albumin fraction using ion exchange
chromatography was achieved; however, me-
chanical problems have been encountered in
the regeneration of the resin bed. A 10 times
concentration of the isolated gamma globulin
was realized using continuous-flow reverse
osmosis. The gamma globulins produced from
abattoir blood will be used in milk replacers
for artificially reared piglets.

Growth performance in pigs

Boars and gilts were fed to a constant age,
constant weight, or constant feed intake.
Boars were more efficient in utilizing feed for
growth than were gilts. Lean content in the
carcass was also higher in boars. The results
indicate that with relatively less feed, boars
can attain slaughter weight sooner than gilts.

Preparation of pig carcasses for chemical
analysis

Porcine carcass material is highly heteroge-
neous, yet chemical analysis requires a fully
representative homogeneous sample of work-
able size. A study was undertaken to deter-
mine the number of grindings required to
achieve a homogeneous sample. A frozen side
was cut into three pieces and passed through a
37 kW worm-fed meat grinder. As the ground
tissue was expelled, three 200 g samples were
taken. The grinder was dismantled and the
material left in it was recovered and added to
the ground material; the resulting mass was
reground. This procedure was repeated until
the carcass material had been passed through
the grinder 10 times. The resulting samples
were analyzed to determine dry matter,
nitrogen, ether extract, and ash. The degree of

132

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

variation within a trio of samples obtained
from each successive grinding was considered
to be a reflection of its degree of homogeneity.
The results indicated that a representative
preparation, sufficiently homogeneous to al-
low precise analysis of samples, was achieved
after five grindings.

POULTRY BREEDING PROGRAM

Selection studies in egg production chickens

Six selected strains have been under selec-
tion for high egg production and other eco-
nomically important traits for up to 28
generations. For the hatch years 1971-1977,
the selected strains had an average genetic
gain of 17 eggs compared with unselected
control strains maintained in parallel. For this
period the strains selected on part-record egg
production rate had a genetic gain of three
eggs greater than the strains selected on part-
record hen-housed egg production. In the
selected and control strains of the 1978 hatch
population, individual feed consumption was
measured during a 4 wk period when all
strains were producing at a high rate. After
correction for initial body weight and weight
gain, the control strains consumed 0.8 g feed
per gram of egg laid more than the selected
strains, and the strains selected on part-record
hen-day rate consumed 0.13 g feed per gram
of egg laid less than the strains selected on
part-record hen-housed production.

The six selected strains and two of the
control strains along with all 30 possible
reciprocal crosses of the selected strains were
evaluated in a 2 yr egg production test. In the
2nd yr, egg production was measured follow-
ing a forced molt. In individual laying cages,
the average hen-housed egg production from
546 to 909 days of age was 144, 166, and 189
eggs for the control strains, selected strains,
and strain crosses, respectively, down from
the equivalent 1 st yr ( 1 34 to 497 days of age)
values of 204, 253, and 269 eggs. In group
cages with three birds per cage, the corre-
sponding 2nd yr performances were 155, 168,
and 184 eggs compared with 1st yr production
of 198, 239, and 257 eggs. In the 2nd yr the
effect of higher density housing was not as
great as in the 1st yr. The egg production
differences between the control and selected
strains (49 and 41 eggs 1st yr and 22 and 13
eggs 2nd yr in individual and group cages,
respectively) represent the average genetic
gain from selection. The differences between

the strain crosses and the selected strain (16
and 18 eggs 1st yr and 23 and 16 eggs 2nd yr
in the two environments) represent the aver-
age heterosis. In the 2nd yr of egg production
especially for group housing, the average
genetic gains were lower than those achieved
in the 1st yr of production, but average
heterotic effects in the 2nd yr were equal to or
greater than those of the 1 st yr.

In a cooperative study with the Animal
Diseases Research Institute (Ottawa), results
were further analyzed from a preliminary test
that compared the above strains with strains
derived from them and selected for resistance
to Marek's disease in addition to the above
traits. The performance levels in the test were
similar to those given above. The resistance-
selected strains showed improved viability not
only when tested without Marek's disease
vaccination but also when exposed to disease
after vaccination. Heterosis was larger in the
resistance-selected strains whose development
involved inbreeding. The size of heterotic
effects generally increased with increased
disease exposure.

Genetics of poultry meat production

Research on genetic aspects of poultry
meat production concentrated on the develop-
ment of techniques for reduction of obesity in
the modern broiler chicken and for im-
provement of feed conversion.

Differences between modern commercial
broiler chickens and broilers of 20 yr ago in
growth rate and abdominal fatness, measured
in an earlier test, have been examined in
greater detail. Progeny of the Ottawa Meat
Control strain represented broilers of 20 yr
ago. This strain was synthesized from four
broiler strains in 1958 and has been main-
tained by random mating without artificial
selection since. Carcasses of modern broilers,
slaughtered at 47 days of age, not only
weighed more, 1552 versus 676 g, but also
contained more abdominal fat, 37.6 versus 9.8
g. On the average, modern broilers were
proportionately fatter with 2.4 versus 1.4%
abdominal fat in the dressed carcass. The
genetic improvement of growth rate during
the past 20 yr was associated with increased
carcass fatness. Variation in fatness both
within and between strains indicated that
carcass leanness can be improved genetically
while maintaining or improving growth rate.
Intrastrain examination of proportional fat-
ness values reveals that fewer modern broilers

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

133

are as lean as broilers of 20 yr ago; however,
there are few modern broilers fatter than the
fattest broilers of 20 yr ago. Broilers appear to
have the same genetic limits for proportional
abdominal fat as their counterparts of 20 yr
ago. Similar absolute amounts of abdominal
fat were obtained from male and female
broilers. Although males had a greater
dressed carcass weight than females, 1220
versus 1048 g, males had a lower proportion
of abdominal fat than females (1.8 versus
2.1%, respectively). It should be noted that
the above comparisons were based on growing
all birds to the age at which only modern
broilers reach the desired slaughter weight.
These comparisons may not reflect the body
composition of broilers of 20 yr ago
slaughtered later in life at a similar weight.

Prediction of abdominal fat content of the
live broiler has been attempted. Abdominal
and collar skin pinch scores for live birds
proved to be of little predictive value when
used alone or in conjunction with other traits.

Prediction equations including live body
weight and length and circumference of the
shank exhibited greater potential accuracy
and these traits accounted for 29-55% of the
variation in abdominal fat weight for specific
sex and strain groups of broilers. Hence, more
testing is required to see whether reliable live
predictors of abdominal fat weight can be
found.

"Sire type" and "dam type" genetic base
populations for further selection studies are
being synthesized from 16 primary broiler
breeder lines obtained from commercial
breeding companies. The lines assembled for
this purpose were surveyed to assess the
genetic variation available to the industry for
further improvement of broilers. Preliminary
results indicate substantial amounts of varia-
tion in male fertility and semen freezability,
susceptibility to green muscle disease, inci-
dence of shedding of lymphoid leukosis virus
into eggs, as well as in production traits.

Disease resistance genetics

Lymphoid leukosis is a viral disease of
chickens transmitted through eggs, as well as
horizontally from chicken to chicken. Mortal-
ity from the disease is generally low. Effects
of subclinical lymphoid leukosis were investi-
gated in cooperation with the Animal Dis-
eases Research Institute (Ottawa) over 2 yr in
nine strains of Leghorns. The hens shedding
the virus into eggs were found to have a

higher mortality from causes other than
lymphoid leukosis, to mature sexually later, to
lay 25-30 eggs less per hen housed, and to
have approximately 1.5 g lower egg weight
and a lower egg specific gravity indicating
thinner shells and potentially higher egg
breakage. Fertility of such shedder hens was
reduced by 2.5% and hatchability by 12.5%.
Thus, eradication of the disease from poultry
flocks would be expected to result in im-
provements in egg production. It was also
found that the lower production of shedder
hens results in their elimination in the process
of genetic selection and that this results in a
lower frequency of shedders in selected than
in control strains.

In an effort to develop a technique for
eradication of lymphoid leukosis from poultry
flocks, the role of the male in spreading the
disease was examined. Hens inseminated with
semen containing the lymphoid leukosis virus
became infected but did not shed the virus
into eggs. Thus the male does not seem to
contribute to vertical transmission of the
disease.

Green muscle disease (DMS) appears to
occur in older birds from a breakdown of the
body's regulatory mechanisms that results in
the wasting away of parts of the deep pectoral
muscle. It was first observed in turkeys
approximately 10 yr ago and has now been
confirmed in meat-type chickens. Over a
period of weeks during the course of the
disease, affected muscle shows a greenish
lesion that downgrades the quality of the
carcass and results in an economic loss at
slaughter. A survey of chicken broiler strains
indicated a significant incidence of DMS and
a high susceptibility to this disease in some of
these strains. Because of this, the main
emphasis of Institute experimental work was
shifted from turkeys to chickens. Methods of
inducing DMS are being evaluated and these
methods, in combination with a blood enzyme
test developed at the Institute will assist in the
establishment of a practical field test to assess
bird susceptibility to DMS.

Eggshell quality

Eggshell breakage remains one of the most
economically damaging problems of the poul-
try industry. Work on genetic aspects of
eggshell quality continued in close coopera-
tion with the Institute's poultry nutrition
program. Studies were initiated to determine
if estrogen and calcium levels in hen plasma

134

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

were related to shell quality. It was found that
levels of estrone and estradiol were positively
correlated with total calcium at 5.75 h after
oviposition. In addition to the small and large
plasma peaks of these hormones, which occur
5.75 and 22 h after oviposition, respectively,
small and large peaks of sulfated conjugates
of these hormones also occur at these times.

Understanding the genetic correlation
between responsiveness to estradiol benzoate
and egg shell quality may be a useful tool in
practical poultry breeding. After injecting
roosters with estradiol benzoate it was found
that increased plasma calcium levels 4 days
later were not correlated with eggshell qual-
ity, as measured by specific gravity of
daughters at 450 days of age.

POULTRY NUTRITION PROGRAM

Laying hens

Feed intake, shell weight, egg specific
gravity, percent shell, shell thickness, nonde-
structive deformation, and compression frac-
ture force were measured over 21 consecutive
days for two strains of force-molted hens.
There was a significant difference among days
but not between strains for these variables.

A phase-feeding regimen, in which dietary
protein level was reduced from 15.4 to 14.8%
at 272 days of age and further from 14.8 to
13.9% at 364 days, permitted laying hens to
be fed lower-cost rations with no apparent
decrease in percent hen-day egg production or
egg weight.

Meat-type birds

Propionic and lauric acids were the most
effective of seven nonesterified short and
medium chain fatty acids in decreasing feed
intake when intravenously administered to
broiler chicks. Inclusion of hydrolyzed coco-
nut oil, a crude source of lauric acid, at 5% of
a starter diet decreased feed intake by 13%.
This permitted body weight control of re-
placement chicks during the brooding period
when regulation of body weight is difficult.

Egg size was increased when the daily feed
allowance for breeder hens was given in three
portions per day and by feeding high- and
low-protein components of the feed in the
morning and evening, respectively. This man-
agement procedure increased the feed effi-
ciency for the production of broiler hatching
eggs.

Compared to broiler chicks reared under
continuous light, birds grown under intermit-
tent light (cycles of 1 h light and 3 h dark)
utilized feed more efficiently and had less
abdominal fat at 7 or 8 wk of age. Since
carcass weights were similar for both groups
of birds, this is a practical method for
decreasing abdominal fat in broiler chicks.

Eggshell strength

Direct evidence was obtained, by electron
microscopic techniques, which showed
eggshells break during the puncture test
because of tensile failure.

Small decreases occurred in the compres-
sion fracture and impact fracture strength of
eggs stored at 10°C for 15 days. Egg specific
gravity, as measured by Archimedes' princi-
ple, decreased significantly due to decreases in
egg weight.

The sequence in which nondestructive
measurements were done influenced the com-
pression fracture and impact fracture strength
of eggs. For example, compression fracture
strength was higher when nondestructive
deformation was measured after rather than
before specific gravity.

Shell breaking strength, measured by com-
pression fracture, was significantly lower for
eggs at 3 min than at 3 h after oviposition.

Bioavailability of phosphorus

An assay was developed from the true
metabolizable energy (TME) bioassay to
measure phosphorus availability of feeding-
stuffs. The availability of phosphorus among
seven feedingstuffs ranged from 16% for a
laying hen diet to 42% for soybean meal. High
variability among adult cockerels within
feedingstuffs was observed.

Measurement of metabolizable energy and
amino acid availability

More precise TME estimates of dehydrated
alfalfa were obtained when force-fed cocker-
els were used as their own negative control
because metabolic plus endogenous energy
losses were largely characteristic of the bird.
Although the mean value for metabolic plus
endogenous energy was lower for a group than
the value for individual birds composing that
group, the decrease in precision of the TME
estimate was offset by a reduction in the time
needed and hence the cost of the assay.

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

135

Composition of the basal diet influenced the
TME values of supplementary tallow, particu-
larly when the level of supplementation was
low. Higher TME values were obtained by
supplementing a corn than a wheat diet with
tallow. However, it was not possible to
identify the active factor by substituting
wheat with fractions of corn, in amounts
similar to those in the corn diet.

The rate and duration of residue output
from wheat, fish meal, dehydrated alfalfa,
and oats by adult cockerels was found to be a
function of the input of the feedingstuff being
tested. Oat residues were observed in the
excreta within 2 h and continued to be voided
up to 52 h after force- feeding.

Heat treatment of oil-extracted soybean
flakes had no effect on clearance time or on
the quantity of excreta voided 24 and 50 h
after force-feeding. Mild heat treatment at
low pressures (129 kPa at 107°C for 10-30
min) increased the TME values and availabil-
ity of alanine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylala-
nine, proline, serine, tyrosine, and valine but
severe heating caused a reduction in TME
values and arginine, methionine, and lysine
availability.

Supplementing ground corn in a laying hen
diet with cellulose had no effect on amino acid
excretion or availability, or on the TME
values. Neither sand nor cellulose influenced
the excretion of metabolic plus endogenous
energy.

The rate of clearance and TME value were
not affected when dehydrated alfalfa was
supplemented with salt.

SHEEP PRODUCTION PROGRAM

Development and assessment of new strains
for an intensive sheep production system

In the intensive sheep production system
under development, the 1600 ewes are split
into two equal flocks. Each flock is bred on an
8 mo cycle with one or the other of the two
flocks bred each January, May, and Septem-
ber. Since January 1979, studies on light
control have been completed and the entire
flock has been maintained on a regimen of
18:6 h and 10:14 h light:dark, alternating at 4
mo intervals, which has been shown to be
effective to induce cycling. For the three
lambing periods of February, June, and
October 1979, overall ewe productivity in-
creased by 300 lambs (11%) compared to
productivity in 1978 which in turn was up

19% over 1977 data. Lamb mortality was
abnormally high in the June lambing period.
The overall incidence of stillborns and early
postnatal deaths has increased from about 5%
to 10%. Average lamb losses in the sire strain
are as high as, or higher than, in the two dam
strains, indicating litter size per se is not a
major factor. Management, particularly labor
availability, is probably a key factor. Prelimi-
nary evaluation of ultrasonic instruments for
pregnancy diagnosis indicates that they are
sufficiently accurate to be a useful manage-
ment tool.

Intensive rearing of lambs

Rates of gain were reduced and mortality
increased for lambs fed milk replacers (MR)
in which 20% or 40% of the milk protein was
replaced by a soluble fish protein concentrate
compared with lambs fed MR containing all
milk protein. The reduced performance was
only partially overcome during the solid-diet
feeding phase. However, there were indica-
tions that the reduced performance may have
been at least partially due to the sugar level in
the experimental diets rather than the soluble
fish protein concentrate.

Evaluation of carcass merit

A study to evaluate ways of predicting
sheep carcass merit by means of live animal
measurements compared three ultrasonic
instruments (Krautkràmer USM No. 2, Sca-
noprobe, and Scanogram), which were used to
measure backfat thickness as an indirect
predictor of the lean content of the carcass.
The study showed that kilograms of lean were
more accurately predicted than the percent-
age of lean. Fat thickness contributed to the
prediction of lean but its contribution was
greatly reduced when body weight at scanning
was incorporated into the prediction. Mea-
surements made with the Krautkràmer USM
No. 2 provided better predictions of lean
carcass content than those made with the
other two instruments.

Reproductive physiology

Control of estrous cycle and ovulation. It
has been established that estrus and ovulation
in ewes can be effectively synchronized after a
12 day treatment with a progestagen-impreg-
nated ear implant when the treatment is
applied in the middle or at the end of the
estrous cycle. If the treatment is applied at
the beginning of the cycle, estrus is not

136

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

synchronized in a high proportion of the
treated ewes.

Studies on factors influencing the ovulation
process continued using prepubertal gilts
treated with hormones to induce ovulation as
an experimental model. Results showed that
the follicular fluid levels of estrogen, andro-
gen, and progesterone undergo a precise
sequence of changes during preovulatory
follicle growth and development. These
changes are indicative of the steroid secretory
activity of the developing follicle and are
closely related to, and influenced by, exposure
of the follicle to gonadotrophic hormones.

Artificial insemination. Techniques have
been developed which result in lambing rates
of 65-75% following a single insemination.
This is comparable to those previously
achieved with either two inseminations or
natural mating at the synchronized estrus. It
was established that a threshold level of 225
million sperm per insemination is required to
achieve these fertility rates and is dependent
upon sperm number and not concentration of
seminal plasma components. New methods
were developed which now allow fresh semen
to be stored for at least 24 h without adversely
affecting fertility.

Studies have demonstrated a large variabil-
ity among rams in the ability of their semen to
retain fertilizing capacity following freezing
and thawing. Good fertility has been achieved
with frozen and thawed semen from some
rams, but overall fertility is about half that
obtained with fresh semen. Freezability of
semen improves during decreasing day length.
Two new semen extenders have been devel-
oped, based on evaluation of the cryoprotec-
tion provided by several high molecular
weight compounds, which have resulted in
significant improvement in sperm survival
following freezing and thawing. During the
freezing process it has been found that
medium cooling rates of 15, 20, or 25°C/min
result in better sperm survival than slow
cooling rates of 0.5, 1, or 2°C/min.

Inadequate or impaired cervical transport
of sperm has been suggested as a factor in the
lower conception rates resulting from artificial
insemination with frozen and thawed semen.
Isolated tissue preparations of the guinea pig
and ewe cervix have been developed for
screening potentially useful pharmacological
agents which might influence cervical trans-
port of sperm. Autonomic, drug-induced,

cervical contractions and rhythmic spontane-
ous contractions have been demonstrated.

ANIMAL FEED SAFETY AND
NUTRITION PROGRAM

Mycotoxins

Research with mycotoxins has centered on
zearalenone (Z), a metabolite of Fusarium
mold found commonly in Ontario and Que-
bec. A rapid screening method for analysis of
Z and eight other mycotoxins using thin layer
chromatography has been developed and used
to analyze suspect corn and feed samples. In a
cooperative project with the Biosystematics
Research Institute in which field-overwintered
corn was analyzed simultaneously for mycot-
oxin residues and fungi present, 19 fungi were
identified and trace amounts of Z and another
mycotoxin, aflatoxin, were detected.

Two analytical methods were developed to
specifically analyze for Z and possible metab-
olites. With a gas chromatographic method,
free Z as low as 100 ng/mL was detected in
serum. Determination of Z and a- and
/3-zearalenol in the 0.5 ng/mL range is now
possible using a high pressure liquid chroma-
tographic-fluorescence detection method.

Animal studies carried out on gilts have
shown low levels of free Z in serum after
administering a single oral dose of crystalline
Z. Analysis of urine samples indicated that
OL- and /3-zearalenol are metabolites of Z.
There appears to be rapid metabolism and
elimination of Z from the body, but changes
in the reproductive organs persist up to 1 wk
after dosing. For example, after dosing with
3.5 mg of Z per kilogram body weight, gilts
were found to have enlarged uteri and cer-
vixes, in some cases up to four times the size
of controls.

A research contract is under way to draw
together all existing data on the incidence and
effects of mycotoxins in Canada. These data
will be used to better identify those mycotox-
ins of primary concern to Canadian
agriculture.

Rapeseed oil nutrition

Studies are continuing to elucidate the
cause of heart lesions in male rats fed high fat
diets. In previous work, there appeared to be
no relationship between levels of free fatty
acids in the myocardium and heart lesions.
With the availability of a new method,

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

137

developed to measure cardiac free fatty acids
in the absence of lipolysis, it was demon-
strated that the cardiac free fatty acid levels
were very low and not significantly different
between several vegetable oils and LEAR
(low erucic acid rapeseed) oils. The erucic
acid content at less than 5% in the diet also
had no effect on the levels of cardiac free fatty
acids. The cardiac triglyceride composition, as
expected, reflected the dietary fatty acid
composition.

The cardiac phospholipid content remained
fairly constant irrespective of the age of the
rat and diet. However, significant changes in
the fatty acid composition occurred within the
major cardiac phospholipids due to different
dietary fatty acids. Dietary oleic acid specifi-
cally affected cardiac sphingomyelin and
cardiolipin composition, while dietary linoleic
and linolenic acids had a dramatic effect on
the C" polyunsaturated fatty acids of phos-
phatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl cho-
line. Despite these changes, a regulation of
fatty acid composition was evident within the
cardiac phospholipids, presumably to main-
tain the structural integrity of cardiac mem-
branes.

The etiology of the heart lesions is not
completely understood. The lesions could not
be related to possible cardiopathogenic agents
present in fully refined vegetable oils. Further
research has shown that pure triglycerides,
prepared from soybean oil and LEAR oil of
the cultivar Tower by molecular distillation
and column chromatography, gave similar
cardiopathological results to the original oils
from which they were purified. This study was
carried out concurrently at the Veterinary
College of the University of Saskatchewan,
the Animal Diseases Research Institute (Ot-
tawa), and the Animal Research Institute,
and no significant differences were observed
among the three establishments. The results
support previous Institute findings that in rats
the cardiopathogenicity of the test oils resides
in the triglycerides of the oils.

A relationship was found, however, by
pooling the results of 23 experiments involv-
ing cardiopathological examination of male
albino rats fed high fat diets for 4-6 mo at
four independent laboratories. Regression
analyses carried out in cooperation with the
Engineering and Statistical Research Insti-
tute showed that myocardial lesions in male
albino rats appear to be related to levels of
certain dietary fatty acids. Palmitic, stearic,
and linoleic acids were negatively correlated

to heart lesions, while linolenic, oleic, and
erucic acids were positively correlated. Exper-
iments are in progress to establish the rela-
tionship of some of these fatty acids to heart
lesions in male rats.

Pesticide metabolism

Atrazine. A metabolic pathway for atrazine
in chickens was established from combined in
vitro and in vivo studies in a cooperative
project with the Chemistry and Biology
Research Institute. Identification of the her-
bicide and three metabolites permitted postu-
lation that in the chicken metabolism pro-
ceeds mainly by partial 7V-dealkylation
accompanied by hydrolysis. Species differ-
ences in metabolic pathways were noted when
in vitro studies were extended to liver enzyme
preparations from goose, pig, and sheep.

Studies also showed that no residues of the
herbicides or metabolites occurred in corn
silage or grain corn crops grown where
atrazine had been applied at the recom-
mended rate for several years. Consumption
of these feeds by dairy cattle and poultry,
therefore, would not result in objectionable
residues of atrazine and metabolites in milk,
eggs, or edible meat.

Tetrachlorvinphos. In vitro metabolism
studies with chicken liver enzyme prepara-
tions indicated that the primary step was
glutathione-dependent demethylation fol-
lowed by hydrolysis and further conjugation
to polar compounds which can be excreted.
Similar studies with liver preparations from
goose, turkey, sheep, pig, and cow revealed
species differences. In the goose, isomer-
ization of the insecticide also occurred in
addition to the normal metabolic pathways
observed in the other species. In in vivo
studies with lactating cows it was found that
the insecticide was almost totally (82.2%)
eliminated in the urine after 10 days as five
metabolites, two of which were in both free
and conjugated forms. In addition, unchanged
insecticide (7.1% of the dose) and the alcohol
metabolite (8.9%) were excreted in the feces.
Neither unchanged insecticide nor metab-
olites could be detected in milk or various
tissues 10 days after cessation of oral adminis-
tration of the insecticide. A metabolic path-
way in lactating cows was proposed which
contained several steps also identified in in
vitro studies.

Fenvalerate, decamethrin, and cyper-
methrin. Studies on the metabolism of these

138

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

synthetic pyrethroids are under way. Fenval-
erate has been synthesized and purified by
separation into its cis- and /ra/75-isomers.
Twelve metabolites and the insecticide with
l4C-labels at two positions have been synthe-
sized and purified. Gas-liquid chromato-
graphic data and nuclear magnetic resonance
and mass spectroscopic data have been ob-
tained for these standards to assist in later

identification. Metabolic pathways and resi-
due data will result from combined in vivo
and in vitro studies in farm animals and
poultry.

Trichlorfon. In vitro studies resulted in five
metabolites which, when identified, provided
further evidence of a complex metabolic
pathway. Analyses of samples from in vivo
studies in chickens are under way.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Ainsworth, L.; Tsang, B. K.; Downey, B. R.; Baker,
R. D.; Marcus, G. J.; Armstrong, D. T. 1979.
Effects of indomethacin on ovulation and luteal
function in gilts. Biol. Reprod. 2 1 :40 1 -4 1 1 .

Akhtar, M. H. 1978. Sequential participation of
glutathione and sulphhydryl(s) in reductive
dechlorination of 2,4-dichloro-, and 2,4,5-
trichlorophenacyl chlorides by soluble fraction
(105 000 g) of chicken liver homogenates. J.
Environ. Sci. Health B 14:53-71.

Akhtar, M. H.; Foster, T. S. 1979. Comparative in
vitro metabolism of tetrachlorvinphos by the
soluble fraction (105 000 g) from sheep, pig
and cow liver homogenates. J. Agric. Food
Chem. 27:133-116.

Batra, T. R. 1979. Genetic trends for milk and fat
production in dairy cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:203-206.

Batra, T. R. 1979. Incidence of clinical mastitis in
dairy cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:597-603.

Batra, T. R. 1979. Use of USDA extension factors
for predicting 305-day lactation production in
dairy cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:821-823.

Crittenden, L. B.; Gavora, J. S.; Gulvas, F. A.;
Gowe, R. S. 1979. Complete endogenous RNA
tumor virus production by inbred and non-
inbred chickens. Avian Pathol. 8:125-131.

Erfle, J. D.; Mahadevan, S.; Sauer, F. D. 1979.
Effect of diet quality on adenosines-triphos-
phate concentration and adenylate energy
charge of rumen microbes from fistulated
cows. J. Dairy Sci. 62:284-29 1 .

Foster, T. S.; Khan, S. U.; Akhtar, M. H. 1979.
Metabolism of atrazine by the soluble fraction
(105 000 g) from chicken liver homogenates.
J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:300-303.

Friend, D. W.; Elliot, J. I. 1979. Fatty acid
composition of the pig uterus, fetus and belly
fat. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:21 1-213.

Friend, D. W.; Larmond, E.; Wolynetz, M. S.;
Price, K. R. 1979. Piglet and pork production
from gilts bred at puberty: chemical composi-
tion of the carcass and assessment of meat
quality. J. Anim. Sci. 49:330-341.

Gavora, J. S.; Emsley, A.; Cole, R. K. 1979.
Inbreeding in 35 generations of development of
Cornell S strain of Leghorns. Poult. Sci.
58:1133-1136.

Grunder, A. A.; Hollands, K. G. 1978. Inheritance
of adenosine deaminase variants in chickens
and turkeys. Anim. Blood Groups Biochem.
Genet. 9:215-222.

Grunder, A. A.; Hollands, K. G.; Gavora, J. S.
1979. Incidence of degenerative myopathy
among turkeys fed corn or wheat based rations.
Poult. Sci. 58:1321-1324.

Hackett, A. J.; Inskeep, E. K.; Robertson, H. A.;
Shrestha, J. N. B.; Wolynetz, M. S. 1979.
Comparison of artificial insemination and
natural mating on reproductive performance of
five strains of sheep during the anestrous
season in an intensive system. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:675-684.

Halloran, H. R.; Sibbald, I. R. 1979. Metabolizable
energy values of fats measured by several
procedures. Poult. Sci. 58:1299-1307.

Hamilton, R. M. G.; Hollands, K. G.; Voisey, P.
W.; Grunder, A. A. 1979. Relationship
between egg shell quality and shell breakage
and factors that affect shell breakage in the
field— A review. World's Poult. Sci. J. 35:177-
190.

Hamilton, R. M. G.; Thompson, B. K.; Voisey, P.
W. 1979. The effects of age and strain on the
relationships between destructive and non-
destructive measurements of eggshell strength
for White Leghorn hens. Poult. Sci. 58:1125-
1132.

Hidiroglou, M. 1979. Manganese in ruminant
nutrition. A review. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:217-
236.

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

139

Hidiroglou, M. 1979. Trace element deficiencies
and fertility in ruminants. A review. J. Dairy
Sci. 62:1 195-1206.

Hidiroglou, M.; Proulx, J. G.; Roubos, D. 1979. 25-
Hydroxyvitamin D in plasma of cattle. J.
Dairy Sci. 62:1076-1080.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Ho, S. K. 1978.
Fate of tritiated cholecalciferol in healthy
sheep and in those affected by osteodystrophy.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 58:621-630.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Ho, S. K.; Trypho-
nas, L. 1979. Zinc and manganese in accessory
genital glands of male sheep: distribution,
uptake, and effect of testosterone. Am. J. Vet.
Res. 40:103-107.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Ivan, M. 1979.
Pharmacokinetics and amounts of 25-hydroxy-
cholecalciferol in sheep affected by osteodys-
trophy. J. Dairy Sci. 62:567-571.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Kramer, J. K. G.
1979. Fate of labeled choline administered
intraruminally to pregnant ewes given man-
ganese-deficient or -supplemented rations. Am.
J. Vet. Res. 40:1273-1276.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Siddiqui, I. R.;
Khan, S. U. 1979. Effects of Mn-deficient
feeding to ewes on certain amino acids and
sugars in cartilage of their newborn lambs.
Am. J. Vet. Res. 40:1375-1377.

Ivan, M. 1979. Metabolism of radiomanganese and
radiozinc in sheep — Effects of intraruminal
dosing with nitrilotriacetic acid. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:283-289.

Ivan, M.; Ihnat, M.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979. Effects
of nitrilotriacetic acid on apparent absorption
and duodenal flow of manganese, iron, zinc and
copper in sheep. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:273-
281.

Ivan, M.; Jui, P.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979. The effects
of nitrilotriacetic acid on solubilities of zinc,
copper, manganese, and iron in the stomach of
sheep. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 57:369-374.

Jenkins, K. J. 1979. In vitro observations on factors
affecting calf pregastric esterase activity. Can.
J. Anim. Sci. 59:1-9.

Jenkins, K. J. 1979. Pancreatic lipase activity in
relation to high levels of fat in calf milk
replacers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:463-465.

Jones, J. D.; Sibbald, I. R. 1979. The true metab-
olizable energy values for poultry of fractions
of rapeseed {Brassica napus cv. Tower). Poult.
Sci. 58:385-391.

Khan, S. U.; Cloutier, R. D.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979.
Atomic absorption spectroscopic determination
of molybdenum in plant tissue and blood
plasma. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 62:1069-
1074.

Khan, S. U.; Morris, G. F.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979.
Microdetermination of total sulfur and inorga-
nic sulfate in biological materials. Microchem.
J. 24:291-297.

King, G. J.; Atkinson, B. A.; Robertson, H. A.
1979. Development of the bovine placentome
during the second month of gestation. J.
Reprod. Fertil. 55:173-180.

King, G. J.; Robertson, H. A.; Elliot, J. I. 1979.
Induced parturition in swine herds. Can. Vet.
J. 20:157-160.

Kramer, J. K. G.; Hulan, H. W.; Corner, A. H.;
Thompson, B. K.; Holfeld, N.; Mills, J. H. L.
1979. Cardiopathogenicity of soybean oil and
Tower rapeseed oil triglycerides when fed to
male rats. Lipids 14:773-780.

Kramer, J. K. G.; Hulan, H. W.; Trenholm, H. L.;
Corner, A. H. 1979. Growth, lipid metabolism
and pathology of two strains of rats fed high
fat diets. J. Nutr. 109:202-213.

Langford, G. A.; Marcus, G. J.; Hackett, A. J.;
Ainsworth, L.; Wolynetz, M. S.; Peters, H. F.
1979. A comparison of fresh and frozen semen
in the insemination of confined sheep. Can. J.
Anim. Sci. 59:685-691.

Lee, A. J. 1979. Evaluation of related sires for
multiple traits under a mixed model when
variances and covariances are homogeneous. J.
Anim. Sci. 48:1079-1088.

Lodge, G. A.; Elliot, J. E. 1979. The influence of
birth weight on the subsequent growth of
hysterectomy derived pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:215-216.

Lodge, G. A.; Friend, D. W.; Wolynetz, M. S.
1979. Effect of pregnancy on body composition
and energy balance of the gilt. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:51-61.

Mahadevan, S.; Erfle, J. D.; Sauer, F. D. 1979. A
colorimetric method for the determination of
proteolytic degradation of feed proteins by
rumen microorganisms. J. Anim. Sci. 48:947-
953.

Marcus, G. J.; Ainsworth, L.; Lucis, R. 1979.
Cholesterol biosynthesis and progesterone pro-
duction by chorionic cells of the early sheep
conceptus in vitro. Steroids 34:295-303.

Nagai, J.; McAllister, A. J. 1979. Evaluation of
mouse lines for growth under two environ-
ments. Z. Versuchstierk. 21:10-16.

140

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Reid, W. S.; Buckley, D. J.; Elliot, J. I.; Nicholls,
C. F. 1979. A six-cage automatic liquid feed-
ing system for neonatal pigs. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:619-622.

Robertson, H. A.; King, G. J. 1979. Conjugated
and unconjugated oestrogens in fetal and
maternal fluids of the cow throughout preg-
nancy. J. Reprod. Fertil. 55:463-470.

Sauer, F. D.; Erfle, J. D.; Mahadevan, S. 1979.
Methane synthesis without the addition of
adenosine triphosphate by cell membranes
isolated from Methanobacterium ruminan-
iium. Biochem. J. 178:165-172.

Sauer, F. D.; Erfle, J. D.; Mahadevan, S.; Lessard,
J. R. 1979. Urea in corn silage as a supplemen-
tal nitrogen source for lactating cows. Can. J.
Anim. Sci. 59:403-410.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. The gross energy of avian eggs.
Poult. Sci. 58:404-409.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. Passage of feed through the
adult rooster. Poult. Sci. 58:446-459.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. A bioassay for available amino
acids and true metabolizable energy in feed-
ingstuffs. Poult. Sci. 58:668-673.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. The effect of the duration of
the excreta collection period on the true metab-
olizable energy values of feedingstuffs with
slow rates of passage. Poult. Sci. 58:896-899.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. Bioavailable amino acids and
true metabolizable energy of cereal grains.
Poult. Sci. 58:934-939.

Sibbald, 1. R. 1979. Effects of level of feed input,
dilution of test material, and duration of
excreta collection on true metabolizable energy
value. Poult. Sci. 58:1325-1329.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. The effect of the drying
procedure on excreta energy values for poultry
and other species. Poult. Sci. 58:1 392- 1 394.

Spencer, J. L.; Gavora, J. S.; Gowe, R. S. 1979.
Effect of selection for high egg production in
chickens on shedding lymphoid leukosis virus
and as antigen into eggs. Poult. Sci. 58:279-

284.

Trenholm, H. L.; Thompson, B. K.; Kramer, J. K.
G. 1979. An evaluation of the relationship of
dietary fatty acids to incidence of myocardial
lesions in male rats. Can. Inst. Food Sci.
Technol. J. 12:189-193.

Tsang, B. K.; Ainsworth, L.; Downey, B. R.;
Armstrong, D. T. 1979. Pre-ovulatory changes
in cyclic AMP and prostaglandin concentra-
tions in follicular fluid of gilts. Prostaglandins
17:141-148.

Tsang, C. P. W.; Hackett, A. J. 1979. Metabolism
of progesterone in the pregnant sheep near
term: identification of 3/?-hydroxy-5a-preg-
nan-20-one-3-sulfate as a major metabolite.
Steroids 33:577-588.

Tsang, C. P. W.; Hackett, A. J. 1979. Metabolism
of estrone sulfate in the pregnant ewe. Therio-
genology 11:429-439.

Tryphonas, L.; Hidiroglou, M.; Collins, B. 1979.
Reversal by testosterone of atrophy of acces-
sory genital glands of castrated male sheep.
Vet. Pathol. 16:710-721.

Voisey, P. W.; Hamilton, R. M. G.; Thompson, B.
K. 1979. Laboratory measurements of eggshell
strength. 2. The quasi-static compression,
puncture, non-destructive deformation, and
specific gravity methods applied to the same
egg. Poult. Sci. 58:288-294.

Voisey, P. W.; Hamilton, R. M. G.; Thompson, B.
K. 1979. The effect of temperature on the
resistance of the hen's egg shell to fracture
under impact and compression and to deforma-
tion under non-destructive forces. Poult. Sci.
58:1149-1153.

Miscellaneous

Ainsworth, L.; Hackett, A. J.; Heaney, D. P.;
Langford, G. A.; Peters, H. F.; Shrestha, J. N.
B. 1979. Intensive rearing systems for sheep
production. Pages 610-617 in J. Luchok et al.,
eds. 'Hill lands', Proceedings of an Interna-
tional Symposium, West Virginia University,
3-9 Oct. 1976. Publ. W.Va. Univ. Books,
Office Publ., Morgantown, W.Va.

Chesnais, J. P. 1979. Genetic implications of
embryo transfer in dairy cattle. Proc. Can.
Anim. Genet. Workshop, Ottawa, Ont. 10 pp.

Chesnais, J. P.; Batra, T. R.; Darisse, J. P. F.;
Hickman, C. G.; Lee, A. J.; McAllister, A. J.;
Roy, G. L.; Vesely, J. A.; Winter, K. A. 1979.
Comparison among eight strains of bulls for
the milk production of their daughters. J.
Dairy Sci. 62 (Suppl. 1 ): 1 86 (Abstract).

Corner, A. H.; Hulan, H. W.; Kramer, J. K. G.;
Mahadevan, S.; Sauer, F. D.; Trenholm, H. L.
1979. Factors influencing myocardial lesions in
animals fed diets containing rapeseed oil. Proc.
5th Int. Rapeseed Conf. Malmô, Sweden, 12-
16 June 1978. Publ. Lagerblads Trycheri AB,
Karlshamn, Sweden. 2:95-98.

Dwyer, R. J.; Robertson, H. A. 1979. Patterns of
sulfotransferase and sulfatase activities in the
endometrium of the sheep and pig during
pregnancy. Proc. 12th Annu. Meet., Soc.
Study Reprod., Quebec City, Que. p. 16
(Abstract).

Erfle, J. D.; Sauer, F. D.; Lessard, J. R. 1979. Urea
for lactating dairy cows. Canadex 410.50.

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

141

Farnworth, E. R.; Trenholm, H. L. 1979. Acute
dosage of female pigs with crystalline zearale-
none. J. Nutr. 109:XXVII1 (Abstract).

Farnworth, E. R.; Trenholm, H. L. 1979. Acute
dosage of female pigs with crystalline zearale-
none. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 32:XXVIII
(Abstract).

Fiser, P. S. 1979. New extenders for freezing ram
semen. Proc. 16th Annu. Meet. Soc. Cryobiol-
ogy, Atlanta, Georgia, p. 132 (Abstract).

Friend, D. W. 1979. Compensatory or "catch-up"
growth in pigs. Proc. Super Swine Symp.,
Stratford, Ont. pp. 61-62.

Friend, D. W. 1979. Summary of swine research
projects at the Animal Research Institute,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ot-
tawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6. Proc. Producer
Education Prog., Ont. Pork Congr., Stratford,
Ont. pp. 67-69.

Gavora, J. S. 1979. Effects of infection with
lymphoid leukosis virus on egg production and
mortality in selected and control strains of
chickens. Proc. 28th Natl. Breeders' Round-
table, Memphis, Tenn. pp. 1-15.

Gavora, J. S. 1979. Genetic techniques for control-
ling Marek's disease and for improvement of
multiple economic traits in high performance
egg production chickens. Proc. 28th Natl.
Breeders' Roundtable, Memphis, Tenn. pp. 33-
58.

Gavora, J. S.; Spencer, J. L.; Gowe, R. S.; Emsley,
J. A. B.; Pettit, J. 1979. Performance of diallel
crosses of Leghorn strains under various de-
grees of protection and exposure to Marek's
disease. Proc. Eur. Econ. Commun. Symp.,
Resistance Immunity to Marek's Dis. W.
Berlin, W. Ger. 3 pp.

Gavora, J. S.; Spencer, J. L.; Gowe, R. S.; Harris,
D. L. 1979. Consequences of an egg-transmit-
ted viral disease in selection for high egg
production in chickens. Genetics 91 :S37
(Abstract).

Grunder, A. A. 1979. Biochemical approaches to
genetic variation. Proc. 28th Natl. Breeders'
Roundtable, Memphis, Tenn. pp. 59-77.

Grunder, A. A. 1979. Problems in egg shell quality.
Poult. Industry School — 1979, Univ. Guelph,
Guelph, Ont. pp. 46-50.

Hackett, A. J.; Robertson, H. A.; Penner, P.;
McLaughlin, G. R. 1979. Comparison of two
methods of synchronizing estrus in a commer-
cial sheep flock. J. Anim. Sci. 49 (Suppl.l):300
(Abstract).

Hamilton, R. M. G.; Thompson, B. K. 1979.
Relationship between acid-base balance in
laying hens and egg shell strength. Poult. Sci.
58:1064 (Abstract).

Heaney, D. P. 1979. Sheep as pilot animals. Pages
44-48 in W. J. Pigden et al., eds. Standard-
ization of analytical methodology for feeds:
Proceedings of a workshop. Int. Dev. Res.
Cent., Ottawa, Ont. Publ. No. IDRC-134e.

Heaney, D. P. 1979. Sheep research by the Re-
search Branch, Agriculture Canada. Ont.
Sheep Newsl. 34:4-6.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Siddiqui, I. R.;
Khan, S. U. 1979. The effect of manganese
deficiency on the amino acid, glucosamine,
galactosamine and uronic acid content of
neonate lamb cartilage. Proc. 13th Annu.
Conf., Trace Substances in Environ. Health,
Columbia, Miss. 1 p. (Abstract).

Ivan, M.; Johnston, D. W. 1979. A method for re-
entrant cannulation in sheep. Ann. Rech. Vet.
10:288-289.

Jenkins, K. J.; Emmons, D. B. 1979. Low-pressure
fat-dispersion method for high fat milk replac-
ers improves calf performance. Canadex
401.40.

Jenkins, K. J.; Pigden, W. J. 1978. Selenium in
animal production. Agrologist 8(3):25-26.

Jordan, W. A.; Thompson, B. K.; Ivan, M.; Hidiro-
glou, M. 1979. Lambs fail to improve with
cement kilm dust supplements. Feedstuffs
51:33-34.

Kennedy, B.; Chesnais, J. P. 1978. Principes fonda-
mentaux en production animale. Partie 2,
Génétique animale. Conseil des productions
animales du Québec. Agdex 400-05.

Kramer, J. K. G.; Hulan, H. W.; Mahadevan, S.;
Sauer, F. D.; Trenholm, H. L.; Corner, A. H.
1979. Low erucic acid rapeseed oil — A quality
vegetable oil. Pages 1-4 in Symposium on new
varieties of colza, 11-12 April 1978, Bruxelles.
Publ. Eur. Econ. Commun. Brussels, Belgium.
Doc. 5.

Langford, G. A.; Marcus, G. J.; Hackett, A. J.
1979. Influence of sperm numbers and seminal
plasma on the fertility of confined sheep bred
by artificial insemination. J. Anim. Sci. 49
(Suppl.l):3 12 (Abstract).

Langford, G. A.; Panich, P. L.; Dwyer, R. J. 1978.
Pharmacological responses of isolated cervix
and uterus in relation to sperm transport. Proc.
Joint Meet., Can. Andrology Soc, Can. Fertil.
Soc, Val David, Que. 1 p. (Abstract).

142

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Lee, A. J.; McAllister, A. J.; Batra, T. R.;
Chesnais, J. P. 1979. Crossbreeding project
aims to improve dairy cattle. The Manitoba
Cooperator37(ll):9. '

Mahadevan, S.; Erfle, J. D.; Sauer, F. D. 1979.
Degradation of soluble and insoluble proteins
by Bacteroides amylophilus protease. J. Anim.
Sci. 49 (Suppl.l):389 (Abstract).

Mahadevan, S.; Erfle, J. D.; Sauer, F. D. 1979.
Protein solubility and protein degradation in
the rumen. Feedstuffs 51(51 ):20.

Marcus, G. J.; Hackett, A. J. 1979. Endometrial
synthesis of prostaglandin E2: An indication of
early maternal recognition of pregnancy? J.
Anim. Sci. 49 (Suppl. 1 ):3 1 6-3 1 7 (Abstract).

Martin, A. H.; Fortin, A.; Sim, D. W.; Johnson, A.
S. 1979. National hog carcass research pro-
ject— 1978. Rep. Eval. Comm. Meat Packers
Counc. Can., Can. Pork Counc, Toronto and
Ottawa, Ont. 300 pp.

Nagai, J. 1979. The mouse in agricultural research.
Can. Agric. 24(1 ):20-22.

Nagai, J. 1979. Genetic control of laboratory
animals, possibilities and limitations — Goals
and achievements in controlling lactation.
Proc. VII Symp., Int. Comm. Lab. Anim.,
Utrecht, Netherlands, p. 72.

Nagai, J. 1979. Lifetime productivity in female
mice. Proc. XVIII Int. Symp. Lab. Anim.,
Jaszowiec, Poland, p. 13.

Nagai, J.; Hunsaker, W. G.; Wolynetz, M. S. 1979.
Maternal behaviour in lactating mice. Proc.
XVIII Int. Symp. Lab. Anim., Jaszowiec,
Poland, p. 17.

Ojamma, K. M.; Elliot, J. I.; Hartsock, T. G. 1979.
Effects of gestation feeding level on glycogen
reserves and blood parameters in the new-born
piglet. Proc. Northeast. Sec. Meet., Am. Soc.
Anim. Prod., Morgantown, W.Va. 1 p.
(Abstract).

Proulx, J.; Jordan, W. A.; Roubos, D. 1979. Effect
of cutting date on grass silage for steer produc-
tion. Canadex 420.60.

Robertson, H. A.; Merritt, E. S. 1979. The effect of
exposure to a 10 h light- 14 h dark photoperiod
on egg production by geese. Poult. Sci.
58:1098-1099 (Abstract).

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. Metabolizable energy evalua-
tion of poultry diets. Pages 35-49 in W.
Haresign et al., eds. Recent advances in animal
nutrition — 1979. Butterworths, London, Eng.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. Bioavailable amino acids in
feedingstuffs. In A. P. Williams, ed. A.R.C.
protein evaluation group news-sheet. Agric.
Res. Counc, Edinburgh, Scot. 6 Sept. 5 pp.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. True metabolizable energy.
Proc. Session B, 2nd Eur. Symp. Poult. Nutr.,
Beekbergen, Netherlands. 6 pp.

Sibbald, I. R. 1979. A new technique for estimating
the ME content of feeds for poultry. Pages 38-
43 in W. J. Pigden et al., eds. Standardization
of analytical methodology for feeds: Proceed-
ings of a workshop. Int. Dev. Res. Cent.,
Ottawa, Ont. Publ. No. IDRC-134e.

Spencer, J. L.; Gavora, J. S. 1979. Prospects for
control of lymphoid leukosis. Proc. 28th West.
Poult. Dis. Conf., 13th Poult. Health Symp.,
Davis, Calif, pp. 86-87.

Spencer, J. L.; Gavora, J. S. 1979. Influence of
genotype of chickens and immune status of
dams on response to vaccination with turkey
herpesvirus. Proc. Eur. Econ. Commun. Symp.,
Resistance Immunity to Marek's Dis. W.
Berlin, W. Ger. 3 pp.

Tsang, C. P. W.; Hackett, A. J. 1979. Metabolism
of estrone sulfate in the pregnant ewe. J. Anim.
Sci. 49 (Suppl. 1):343 (Abstract).

Veira, D. M. 1979. To pasture or not to pasture?
Agric. Book Magazine — The Forage Book
5(12):39.

ANIMAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

143

Biosystematics Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administration

G. A. Mulligan, B.Sc.

A. Giroux

E. Gavora,1 I.N.G., B.L.S.

V. Desroches," B.Ph.A., B.L.S.

J. E. H. Martin

P. M. LeClair

Director

Administrative Officer
Librarian, Botany
Librarian, Entomology
Head, National Identification

Service, Zoology
Head, National Identification

Service, Botany

Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Trichoptera

J. M. Campbell, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

S. A. Allyson, B.Sc, M.Sc.

D. E. Bright, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

E. C. Becker, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

P. Dang,2 B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

J. D. Lafontaine, B.A., Ph.D.
L. LeSage, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

A. Mutuura, B.Sc, Ph.D.

F. Schmid, Lie es Se. Nat., D. es Se. Nat.
A. Smetana, M.U.DR., Cand. Sc. Biol.

Head of Section; Staphylinidae

(rove beetles)
Lepidopterous larvae
Scolytidae (bark beetles),

Curculionidae (weevils)
Elateridae (click beetles,

wireworms)
Microlepidoptera of forest

importance (spruce budworm)
Noctuidae (cutworm moths)
Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles) and

larval Coleoptera
Tortricidae (leafroller moths)
Trichoptera (caddisflies)
Aquatic beetles, Staphylinidae (rove

beetles)

biosystematics research institute

145

Diptera and Hemiptera

D. M. Wood, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

K. G. A. Hamilton, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

L. A. Kelton, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. F. McAlpine, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. R. Oliver, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
R. V. Peterson, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

W. R. Richards, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. J. Teskey, B.Sc, M.S.A., Ph.D.
J. R. Vockeroth, B.A., M.A., D.Phil.

Head of Section; Tachinidae

(parasitic tachinid flies), Culicidae

(mosquitoes)
Cicadellidae (leafhoppers),

Cercopidae (spittlebugs)
Miridae (plant bugs), Anthocoridae

(flower bugs)
Lonchaeidae (lance flies),

Chamaemyiidae (silver flies)
Chironomidae (nonbiting midges)
Simuliidae (black flies),

Nycteribiidae and Streblidae (bat

flies)
Aphidoidea (aphids, plant lice),

Psyllidae (psyllids), Coccoidae

(scale insects), Thysanoptera

(thrips), Psocoptera (psocids,

booklice), Collembola (springtails)
Tabanidae (horse flies, deer flies),

dipterous larvae
Syrphidae (flower flies),

Scatophagidae (dung flies)

Experimental Taxonomy and Nematology

R. V. Anderson, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

J. W. Arnold, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. R. Byers, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

B. A. Ebsary, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

B. N. A. Hudson, B.Sc, Ph.D.

R. Matsuda, B.A., Ph.D., D.Sc

E. H. Salkeld, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Hoplolaimidae

(spiral nematodes),

Tylenchorhynchidae (stylet

nematodes), Aphelenchoidea (foliar

nematodes)
Insect hemocytology
Reproductive biology and behavior

of cutworm moths
Criconematidae (ring nematodes),

Paratylenchidae (pin nematodes),

Hemicycliophoridae (sheath

nematodes)
Chemical taxonomy of insects:

polymorphic enzymes
Comparative morphology, Tingidae

(lace bugs), Aradidae (flat bugs)
Comparative micromorphology of

insect eggs

Hymenoptera and Arachnida

I. M. Smith, B.Sc, Ph.D.

J. R. Barron, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Acari (mites)
Ichneumonidae (ichneumon wasps)

146

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

C. D. Dondale, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

H. Goulet, B.A., B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
E. E. Lindquist, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
C. C. Loan, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

L. Masner, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. R. M. Mason, B.Sc, Ph.D.

C. M. Yoshimoto,3 B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Araneae (spiders), Opiliones

(harvestmen)
Symphyta (sawflies)
Acari (mites, ticks)
Ichneumonidae (ichneumon wasps),

Braconidae (braconid wasps)
Proctotrupoidea (proctotrupid

wasps), Bethyloidea (bethylid

wasps), Sphecoidea (digger wasps),

Evanioidea (ensign wasps)
Braconidae (braconid wasps)
Chalcidoidea (chalcid wasps),

Cynipoidea (cynipid wasps)

Mycology: Plant Disease and Biodegrading Fungi

R. A. Shoemaker, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
D. J. S. Barr, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. D. Bissett, B.Sc, Ph.D.

M. P. Corlett, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

J. H. Ginns, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Ascocarpic
parasites of cereals
Zoosporic parasites of vegetable
crops

Conidial parasites of forage crops
Ascocarpic parasites of fruit crops
Curator of National Collection of
Fungus Cultures; Basidiocarpic
tree wood rots
S. J. Hughes, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.Sc, F.L.S., F.R.S.C. Conidial molds of wood and insects
G. A. Neish, B.Sc, Ph.D. Mycotoxin fungi

J. A. Parmelee, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D. Curator of National Mycological

Herbarium; Obligate parasites of
plants (rusts, smuts, mildews)
S. A. Redhead, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Mushrooms

Vascular Plants

E. Small, B.A., B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. G. Aiken, B.Sc, M.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

I. J. Bassett, B.A.

B. R. Baum, M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. J. Cody, B.A.

F. W. Collins, B.Sc, Ph.D.
J. McNeill, B.Sc, Ph.D.

G. A. Mulligan, B.Sc.

S. I. Warwick, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Cultivated crops,

Medicago
Grass flora of Canada
Hay-fever plants, palynology, weeds
Cultivated crops, Hordeum
Curator of Herbarium, Canadian

flora, ferns
Chemotaxonomy, Brassica
Weeds, Polygonaceae,

Caryophyllaceae
Weeds, Cruciferae
Weeds, genecology

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

147

Honorary Research Associates

C. Frankton, B.Sc, Ph.D.

D. F. Hardwick, B.A., M.Sc.; Ph.D.

G. P. Holland, B.A., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.C.

R. Macrae, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. C. McGuffin, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

R. H. Mulvey, B.Sc, M.S.

E. G. Munroe, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.S.C.
M. K. Nobles, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

O. Peck, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. B. O. Savile, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. D.Sc,

F.R.S.C.
G. E. Shewell, B.Sc, M.Sc.

G. S. Walley, B.S.A., M.S.
A. Wilkes, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Weeds, Polygonaceae

Noctuidae (cutworm moths)

Siphonaptera (fleas)

Basidiocarpic wood rots, polypores

Geometridae (geometer moths,
loopers)

Heteroderidae (cyst nematodes),
Meloidogynidae (root-knot
nematodes), Tylenchidae (spear-
bearing nematodes)

Pyralidae (pyralid moths)

Basidiocarpic wood rots,
hymenomycetes

Chalcidoidea (chalcid wasps)

Plant rusts

Lauxaniidae (lauxaniid flies),
Calliphoridae (blow flies)
Ichneumonidae (ichneumon wasps)
Insect genetics

Departures

B. Boivin, L.Sc, B.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

Transferred to Sainte-Foy Research Station, Que.
R. H. Mulvey, B.Sc, M.S.
Retired December 1979

G. Munroe, B.Sc, M.Sc.
Retired September 1979

K. Weresub, B.A., M.A.,
Deceased

Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

Ph.D.

Flora of Canada

Heteroderidae (cyst nematodes),
Meloidogynidae (root-knot
nematodes), Tylenchidae (spear-
bearing nematodes)

Pyralidae (pyralid moths)

Basidiocarpic humus-formers and
crop psychrophils

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

"Seconded from Forestry.

'Seconded from Environment Canada.

148

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Biosystematics Research Institute provides a national identification service for
Canadian insects, arachnids, nematodes, vascular plants, and fungi. To meet this responsibility,
the Institute conducts research on various aspects of biosystematics and maintains custody of
the National Mycological Herbarium, the National Mycological Culture Collection, the
Agriculture Canada Vascular Plant Herbarium, and the Canadian National Collection of
Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes.

The Institute emphasizes the production of identification manuals on the flora and fauna
of Canada and taxonomic studies on organisms of economic importance. During this year, we
initiated annotated inventories of the pest species of plants, fungi, and insects found in Canada.

Dr. I. M. Smith replaced Dr. J. R. Barron as Head of the Hymenoptera and Arachnida
Section and Dr. R. V. Anderson became Head of the Experimental Biology and Nematology
Section when Dr. J. R. Byers stepped down.

Reprints of research publications are available from the authors. Correspondence on other
matters should be addressed to Director, Biosystematics Research Institute, Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A 0C6.

G. A. Mulligan
Director

IDENTIFICATIONS, COLLECTIONS,
AND SURVEYS

National Identification Service

A total of 74 109 specimens of insects,
arachnids, and nematodes were identified
during 1979. Parks Canada (35%), Agricul-
ture Canada (1 1.7%), and Canadian universi-
ties (11.8%) were the greatest users. Some
6000 specimens were received from the gen-
eral public for identification, general informa-
tion, or control measures.

During 1979, 15 205 collections of vascular
plants were received for identification and
14 140 collections were identified. Canadian
and American universities were the major
users of this service (26.0% and 26.4%,
respectively), followed by other federal de-
partments (20.9%). An increased number of
inquiries was received directly from the
general public and through the Public Ser-
vices Section, Information Services, Agricul-
ture Canada. Assistance was provided to the
Poison Control Centre for nine cases of
suspected poisoning from vascular plants.

A total of 3082 collections and cultures of
fungi were received for identification during
1979, and 2819 were identified. Principal
users of the service were other federal depart-
ments (38%), followed by the general public
(24.3%), Agriculture Canada (12.9%), and
Canadian universities (11.1%). Assistance

was provided to the Poison Control Centre for
53 cases of suspected poisoning from mush-
rooms.

Collection development

The holdings of the Canadian National
Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nema-
todes increased by some 550 000 specimens.
Twenty-three officers of the Institute collected
in various parts of Canada and the United
States: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario,
Quebec, Newfoundland, California, Washing-
ton, Oregon, Arizona, New Hampshire, and
Vermont. Donations of specimens to the
collection totaled some 99 000 specimens and
purchases amounted to 2000. Loans to 162
institutions around the world amounted to
46 360 specimens being forwarded for re-
search study. Material incorporated into the
collection totaled some 230 000 specimens.

The holdings of the Vascular Plant Herbar-
ium now stand at 677 041 collections, an
increase of 16 404 during 1979. Approx-
imately 8400 collections were made by staff
members, and 4797 collections were donated,
4597 as exchanges and 200 as gifts from other
herbariums.

The holdings of the National Mycological
Herbarium stand at 223 372 specimens, an
increase of 2884 accessions during the current
year. A total of 810 specimens were donated,
800 as exchange and 10 as gifts. Approx-
imately 3679 collections were made by staff

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

149

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150

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

members during the year, but most of these
have not yet been incorporated. The National
Collection of Fungus Cultures has increased
its holdings from 5732 to 6093, an increase of
261 cultures. These cultures were received
from other institutions for deposit, through
the Identification Service, or from isolations
made by staff members. The culture collec-
tion contains a total of 453 genera and 1 159
species of fungi, and at present 1801 cultures
have been successfully lyophilized for long-
term preservation.

Riding Mountain National Park survey

During the summer of 1979, the Institute
carried out a 4 mo survey of the insects,
vascular plants, and fungi of Riding Moun-
tain National Park, Man. The purpose of the
survey was to collect specimens pertinent to
the research interests of the Institute and to
enhance the collections. This park was se-
lected because it represents a meeting point
for three elements of the Canadian flora and
fauna. Northern boreal forest, eastern decidu-
ous forest (parkland), and western shortgrass
prairie are all represented within the area of
the park. Two zoology and two botany techni-
cians were present in the park throughout the
survey period and many scientists participated
on a short-term basis. The material collected
is in the process of being sorted and prepared
and will be incorporated into the collections.
An effort was made to provide biological
information to the National Park staff.

Identification aids

Insects and Arachnids of Canada. This
faunal series was initiated several years ago
and is now established as an Institute activity.
This activity is designed to treat the insect
and arachnid fauna of Canada in a series of
books that will permit the nontaxonomic
biologist to identify various arthropod entities.
Since the last annual report two contributions
were published, The Crab Spiders of Canada
and Alaska (Araneae: Philodromidae and
Thomisidae) and The Mosquitoes of Canada
(Diptera: Culicidaej. The spider handbook
describes the 110 species of crab spiders
found or suspected of occurring in Canada
and Alaska. Taxonomic keys and illustrations
help the user to identify the various genera
and species of spiders. The mosquito publica-
tion is intended for those wishing to identify
adult mosquitoes and their larvae. Descrip-
tions and keys are provided for the 74 species

found in Canada. Patterns of seasonal occur-
rences and geographical distribution of mos-
quitoes are discussed. Techniques for collect-
ing, rearing, and preparing specimens as well
as a discussion of anatomical terms and a
glossary are included in both handbooks.

Plant-parasitic nematodes in Canada. Part
1 of this series, An Illustrated Key to the
Genera, was published during 1979. The
nematode genera are grouped by family and
their diagnostic features are defined and
illustrated by labeled photomicrographs. The
key, which is presented in tabular form, will
aid in identifying 52 Canadian genera of
nematodes and will serve as a guide and basic
reference for a subsequent series of keys to be
published on the species of plant nematodes
by family groups. Nearing completion are
illustrated keys to the Canadian species of the
families Hoplolaimidae, Tylenchorhynchidae,
and Heteroderidae.

The Species Problem in Cannabis: Vol. 1
Science, Vol. 2 Semantics. This two-volume
work reviews the complexities of the species
problem in Cannabis and subsequent legal
implications.

Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of
Canada. A revision of this identification guide
containing keys to all the genera and species
of mushrooms found in Canada was published
during 1979. Black-and-white and colored
illustrations are included as well as descrip-
tions of the mushrooms, habitats, fruiting
periods, distinguishing characteristics, and
their edible or poisonous characteristics.

The Biology of Canadian Weeds, 1-32.
This volume contains a detailed summary of
biological information on 41 species of Cana-
dian weeds.

Fungi Canadenses. During 1979, 30 contri-
butions to Fungi Canadenses were published,
bringing the total in this series to 160. An
additional 30 contributions are being pro-
cessed. The taxa illustrated and described
include two new species and one new com-
bination. Species described include parasitic
and biodegrading fungi in the following
genera: Acrophragmis, Apiothyrium, Capno-
botrys, Dendryphion, Didymella, Endophrag-
mia, Gymnosporangnium, Mariannaea, Me-
lampsora, Paecilomyces, Phaeomarasmius,
Phragmocephala, Psathyrella, Pseudospi-
ropes, and Rostelia. Fungi Canadenses is
distributed to 100 Canadian institutions, and

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

151

350 copies are sent to universities and re-
search establishments in 51 other countries.

SECTIONAL RESEARCH

Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Trichoptera

Coleoptera. Staphylinidae — A revision of
the genus Tachyporus, treating 38 species,
was published. A paper revising the three
species of the genus Carphacis was submitted
for publication, and a memoir-sized paper
treating the 36 species of Lordithon was
completed. A rough draft of the revision of
the subfamily Xantholininae, treating 26
genera and over 100 species, was finished and
four additional papers pertaining to this
activity were published or submitted for
publication. Preliminary work was initiated
on revisions of the genera Olophrum and
Acidota.

Hydrophilidae — A revision of the genus
Hydrochara of the world, treating 21 species,
was finished and accepted for publication. A
paper containing supplements to the pre-
viously published revision of the subfamily
Sphaeridiinae was published. A manuscript
treating the three species of the genus
Chaetarthria for the handbook series The
Insects and Arachnids of Canada was
completed.

Alleculidae — All keys were completed for a
handbook of the Alleculidae and Lagriidae
for the series The Insects and Arachnids of
Canada.

Scolytidae — A monograph of the genus
Pityophthorus was completed and submitted
for publication. The genus contains 233
species which are divided into six subgenera.

Buprestidae — Keys to all genera and spe-
cies for the handbook series The Insects and
Arachnids of Canada were completed, and
complete species treatments in seven genera
were finished.

Miscellaneous — Approximately one-half of
the bibliographic search for an inventory of
the pest species of Coleoptera of agricultural
importance was completed. Handbooks on the
histerid beetles (Histeridae) and flea beetles
(Chrysomelidae) were nearly completed, and
a handbook on the scarab beetles (Scarabae-
idae) was initiated.

Lepidoptera. A revision of the Euxoa
detersa group (Noctuidae), with 33 included

taxa, was completed. The paper includes a
biogeographic analysis of the species group in
North America and a phylogenetic analysis of
the genus Euxoa. Work on a catalog of
Noctuidae of Central and South America was
initiated. A paper revising the North Ameri-
can species of the genus Dioryctria and a
paper dealing with a new species of the apple
leaf miner Phyllonorycter were published.
Three papers on newly introduced tortricid
moths (Tortricidae), as well as one paper
describing a new method using the sclerotized
and pigmented areas of muscle attachments
for larval classification of Tortricidae were
submitted for publication. A paper on larval
taxonomy of the 35 species of Pyraustini,
including agricultural pests such as the Euro-
pean corn borer, the beet webworm, and the
garden webworm, and a paper dealing with
the larval stages of the gooseberry fruitworm
Zophodia convolutella were completed. The
final draft of the third part of the subfamily
Eunominae for the Guide to the Geometridae
of Canada was completed. It includes the
tribes Baptini, Caberini, Angeronini, Naco-
phorini, Campaeini, and Epirranthini.

Trichoptera. The third part of the hand-
book of Trichoptera of Canada, dealing with
the families Philopotamidae and Glossosam-
tidae, was completed. One paper discussing
new trends in the study of Trichoptera was
published, and two other papers on the
classification and phylogeny of the family
Goeridae and the genus Archithremma were
completed.

Diptera and Hemiptera

The first volume of Manual of Nearctic
Diptera, covering over 700 genera in 43
families, is in press. Comprehensive reviews of
the anatomy and terminology standardize the
usage of all morphological terms throughout
the Diptera. Keys to larvae and adults of all
families, as well as keys to all genera of each
family, all illustrated with over 1500 original
figures, should enable anyone to identify to
the generic level any fly found anywhere in
Canada or the United States. The bulk of the
manuscript of Volume 2, covering nearly 1200
genera in 65 families, has been completed.

A handbook to the genera of the larvae of
Canadian midges (Chironomidae) was com-
pleted. The larvae of midges, which are nearly
all aquatic, are among the most important
indicators of water quality. Keys to the

152

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

subfamilies and genera, illustrated with sev-
eral hundred photomicrographs, should en-
able the reader to identify to genus any
chironomid larva in Canada.

A handbook on the spittlebugs of Canada
provides keys and illustrations to facilitate the
identification of all 37 species of spittlebugs
(Cercopidae) known to occur in Canada, as
well as six others that could occur here. Each
species description is accompanied by records
of host plants and a map of its distribution in
Canada.

Volume 1 of a planned two-volume work,
which treats the genera of Aphidoidea in
Canada, is being reviewed. Additional hand-
books in preparation will treat the leafhoppers
of fruit and ornamental trees, plant bugs of
fruit trees, aphids and scales of fruit crops,
aphids and thrips of cereal and forage crops,
and aphids and thrips of vegetable crops.

Cooperation continued with the World
Health Organization in their drive to facili-
tate identification of the black fly vectors
(Simuliidae) of onchocerciasis in West Af-
rica. Formerly recognizable only by banding
patterns of their giant chromosomes, both
males and females of six species can now be
distinguished by subtle external differences. A
new pictorial key was designed to enable
technicians in West Africa to identify these
vectors. Among the specimens of black flies
studied was one which was a bilateral gynan-
dromorph — male on one side, female on the
other. A detailed study of this specimen,
which allows one to homologize various
structures between the two sexes, is in press.

Five taxonomic revisions of various plant
bugs (Miridae) added 1 new genus, 9 new
species, and 15 new combinations. Revisions
of the New-World species of the major
leafhopper genera Idiocerus and Macropsis
added 29 new species and many new host
records. A review of the world genera of the
spittlebug subfamily Aphrophorinae was com-
pleted, covering 17 tribes, 68 genera, and
1028 species, including 33 new species and
353 new combinations. Four faunal papers on
spittlebugs were submitted for publication;
these contain 2 new genera, 67 new species,
and 31 new combinations.

A detailed study of the head structure of
representative Hemiptera resulted in a new
interpretation of the structure formerly
known as the postclypeus; it was identified as
the frons. The reinterpretation strengthens
the hypothesis that Hemiptera were de-
scended from psocopteroid-like ancestors.

This reinterpretation bridges the evolutionary
gap between the mandibulate mouthparts of
the Psocoptera and the piercing and sucking
mouthparts of the Hemiptera.

Hymenoptera and Arachnida

Hymenoptera. A chapter reviewing tax-
onomic and faunistic knowledge of Hymenop-
tera in Canada was published in the volume
Canada and its Insect Fauna, a memoir of the
Entomological Society of Canada. Further
progress was made on three contributions of
Hymenoptera for the series The Insects and
Arachnids of Canada with the introductory
volume and the section on sawflies being
partially drafted and the manuscript on
chalcidoid wasps being completed for internal
review. An important review of the higher
classification of Hymenoptera was initiated to
validate the taxonomic framework to be
adopted for the faunal manual.

Symphyta — Work is nearly completed on
the sawfly subfamily Nematinae for inclusion
in the identification manual. Substantial
progress was made in the study and evalua-
tion of species diagonistic characters for the
revision of the genus Dolerus. Techniques for
associating immature and adult instars' of
sawflies were further investigated.

Braconidae — A manuscript was completed
for internal review on a major revision of the
subfamily Microgastrinae, a large and diffi-
cult group of parasites of Lepidoptera. A
manuscript presenting data on species of
Euphorinae parasitic on plant bugs was
completed.

Ichneumonidae — A large manuscript deal-
ing with a revision of the Nearctic species of
Ctenopelma is nearly completed. A revision of
the large genus Rhorus based upon study of
both larvae and adults is under way. Research
on the old-world fauna of the genus Euceros
was published. Studies on the Nearctic spe-
cies of the tryphonine genera Neliopisthus
and Oedemopsis are continuing.

Chalcidoidea — A manuscript including a
redescription of the unusual species Tetracy-
clos boreios, with a discussion of its morphol-
ogy and taxonomic placement, was submitted.
A synopsis of the Nearctic species of the
genus Chrysonotomyia was completed.

Proctotrupoidea — A large manuscript pro-
viding keys to the Holarctic genera of the

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

153

family Scelionidae was submitted for publica-
tion and research leading to published keys to
the genera of Platygastriidae is under way.
Revision of the Nearctic fauna of the genus
Calotelea was completed. Studies of the
species q{ Oethecoctonus, Metaclisis, and
Acerotella are nearing completion. Further
substantial progress was made on the design
and testing of sampling devices for microhy-
menoptera. These advances are resulting in a
marked increase in the representation of
many species in the research collection.

Arachnida. Three chapters reviewing tax-
onomic and faunistic knowledge of arachnids
in Canada were published in the volume
Canada and its Insect Fauna, a memoir of the
Entomological Society of Canada.

Araneae — A revision of the Nearctic wolf
spiders of the genus Alopecosa was published.
The faunal manual for the sac spiders of
Canada and Alaska is in final stages of
preparation. Research on the North Ameri-
can species of the wolf spider Arctosa and
Pardosa is in progress.

Acari — An important paper on the evolu-
tion of phytophagous mites was published in
the volume Annual Review of Entomology. A
major manuscript on the genera of the family
Tarsonemidae, representing probably the
most comprehensive study yet attempted on a
family of mites, is nearly complete. A manu-
script reviewing the species of the water mite
family Anisitsiellidae was published. Substan-
tial progress was made on studies of the
species of the eriophyoid genus Trisetacus,
important pests of coniferous trees, and a
large manuscript will soon be completed.

Experimental taxonomy and nematology

Biosystematics of cutworms. Starch-gel
electrophoresis techniques were further re-
fined to detect species-specific isozymes using
only one leg, thereby permitting retention of
moths for reference or further study. By this
technique and morphometric analysis, the
existence of two discrete species within the
nominal species of the spotted cutworm,
Amathes c-nigrum, was demonstrated, con-
firming the diagnostic value of certain iso-
zymes. Observations of reared and field
populations have indicated interspecific dif-
ferences in the duration of larval and pupal
stages, and suggest that the isolating mecha-
nism between the two species includes a
temporal factor.

Cells of different types found in the hemo-
cyte complex of Noctuidae may vary widely
in size, form, and character. Completed
studies of 75 species of 36 genera show some
common features at the subfamily level which
make the present taxonomic position of cer-
tain species less tenable. Evidence suggests
also that certain anomalies in the hemocyte
complex of some species may be of no
taxonomic or phyletic significance, but rather
reflect specific hemophysiological require-
ments peculiar to species biology.

Temporal partitioning of circadian mating
activity among the three closely related
species of Euxoa cutworm moths in the
declarata group was shown to be maintained
under the various temperature regimes likely
to occur in nature. When the mating-activity
rhythms of the three species are experimen-
tally synchronized by manipulation of the
photoperiod, their sex attraction pheromones
are highly cross-attractive. No chemical
differences among the sex pheromones of the
three species could be detected. This is the
first demonstration that reproductive isolation
between interfertile, sympatric, and season-
ally synchronic species of moths lacking
species-specific pheromones can be main-
tained by temporal differences in activity
rhythms.

Insect morphology. Scanning micrographs
and descriptions of the eggs of 131 species of
Canadian geometrids were prepared and
submitted for publication. Relationships indi-
cated by chorionic characters are discussed at
each taxonomic level and compared to those
based on larval and adult morphology. The
eggs possessed characters of value at the
specific and generic level, and usually at the
tribal level. However, no feature or combina-
tion of features was found which could be
considered characteristic of the subfamilies.

Continuing morphological studies of the
nymphs of lace wing insects (Tingidae) indi-
cate that differences in form, structure, and
color patterns of spines are of diagnostic value
for distinguishing species with similar adults.
A new theory of evolution in arthropods
proposing an environment-hormonal mecha-
nism for induction of evolutionary change is
being advanced to include a broader spectrum
of animal groups.

154

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Neonatology. A new abullate species of
cyst-forming nematode (Heterodera) attack-
ing spike-rush, a new host record for nema-
todes, was described and published. Its rela-
tionships to the goettingiana group were
clarified and a taxonomic key provided to the
15 nominal species. Also published were
descriptions of two new species of ring nema-
todes of the genus Criconemoides, a new
taxon record for Canada, and Crossonema,
including first descriptions of diagnostic
juvenile characters for other species. Nearing
completion is a revision of the Criconemat-
idae, which proposes new genera and species
with keys to aid in their identification.

Completed or in press are taxonomic and
morphological studies of five species of plant
nematodes. Described from Canada are a new
genus of cyst-forming and a species of root-
knot nematodes, which includes a host record
and a key to related species based on charac-
ters of the infective larvae. In press are the
description, relationships, and host symptoms
of a new species of Ditylenchus which pro-
duces leaf galls that have evolutionary and
phyletic implications. A new diagnostic fea-
ture of the reproductive system characterizing
a new, terrestrial species of Aphelenchus,
when compared in specimens from 1 10 popu-
lations in 30 countries, permits grouping of
species for which new subgenera are pro-
posed. Features of the lip region of the root-
lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans,
from three host plants proved to have no
diagnostic value in identifying Canadian
species and species complexes. Labial config-
uration, resolved by scanning micrographs,
varied markedly with the host and tran-
scended those reportedly diagnostic for other
species.

Mycology: plant disease and biodegrading
fungi

Cultural studies, including ultrastructural
observations of zoospores, have shown that
chytridiaceous fungi can be divided among
the older order Chytridiales and a new order
encompassing the genera Entophlyctis, Ol-
pidium, Rhizophlyctis, and the Phlycto-
chytrium complex; this complex is to be
divided into four new genera. It was con-
firmed that Polymyxa, a genus of plant
parasitic fungi which transmit virus diseases,
consists of two species, P. graminis and P.
betae, and these can be subdivided into
formae spéciales.

Paecilomyces, a genus of insect pathogens,
was monographed for Canada. One new
species was described (P. breviramosus) and
one species was recorded for the first time
from Canada {P. tenuipes). A study on
Phyllosticta and related genera on Liliales
was completed. Two new species of Phyllos-
ticta were described (P. crypta and P. cum-
minsii), both parasitic on Smilax in North
America. More than 100 strains of Tri-
choderma were studied in culture in 1979.
High-resolution scanning electron microscope
techniques were implemented to study the
conidial surface of Trichoderma species. A
manuscript entitled "Long term effects of fire
on the composition and activity of the soil
microflora of a subalpine, coniferous forest"
was submitted for publication, completing a
study with Parks Canada. Three papers were
published on the distribution, community
structure, and effects of environment on soil
fungi in alpine tundra.

A taxonomic revision of the species of the
genus Didymella (parasites of raspberry,
cucurbits, grasses, and legumes) is close to
completion. A joint study with Dr. W. B.
Berkenkamp, Research Station, Lacombe, on
the taxonomy of the hyphomycetous genus
Stemphylium parasitic on legumes, with
emphasis on forage legumes of Western
Canada, is under way.

A monograph of the genus Flaviporus was
completed. Emphasis was placed on the
description of microscopic features and com-
parison of the genus with the similar Rigido-
porus. A revision of An Annotated Index of
Plant Diseases in Canada, now 20 yr old, was
begun. When completed it will contain a
substantial number of new entries as well as
contemporary taxonomic treatment of the
fungus names. A new species of mushroom
was described (with mycologists from the
University of Toronto). It was found decaying
mine timbers in Ontario. A study of the genus
Cyptotrama section Xerulina in North Amer-
ica was completed.

Collaborative work with Animal Research
Institute scientists on the occurrence of
Fusarium species and their toxins in overwin-
tered maize is being continued with the
inclusion of detailed examination of field
plots. Experiments on macroconidium germi-
nation by Fusarium acuminatum has demon-
strated that oxogenous carbon sources have a
marked quantitative effect on the production
of microconidia by germinating macroconidia.
Work on the examination and evaluation of

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

155

the Fusarium collections in the Gordon
Herbarium, an important Canadian collec-
tion, has been initiated.

Work was completed on taxonomic treat-
ments q{ the mold genera Rhinocladium,
Endophragmieii Hadrosporium, and Guedea.

Seven short articles on the classification of
rust fungi (Uredinales) were submitted for a
work on classification of living organisms. In
cooperation with R. Cauchon, Laurentian
Forest Research Centre, a report of the first
occurrence of the fungus Strasseria on Pina-
ceae in North America was published. Rusts
of the hollyhock family (Malvaceae) and the
potato family (Solanaceae) were described.

Field work on mushrooms (Agaricales) in
the national parks of British Columbia,
Manitoba, and New Brunswick resulted in the
discovery of at least three new species, four
new North American records, and numerous
new Canadian records. Publications were
prepared on fungal parasitism, nomenclature,
and generic monographs involving one new
genus, nine new combinations. A popular
mushroom book was updated.

Progress was made on the genus Leptos-
phaeria through additional collections in
Western Canada.

The manuscript for a handbook of poison-
ous mushrooms in Canada was completed for
Agriculture Canada under a contract with the
University of Toronto.

Vascular plants

Hops. A study detailing the relationships of
wild and cultivated hops of Japan, North
America, and Europe was accepted for publi-
cation. It was shown that cultivars of the
three geographical regions are morpholog-
ically distinguishable and are very similar to
indigenous wild races in the respective areas.
A further study examining methods of dis-
criminating cultivars of different regions of
the world on the basis of commercial samples
of hops is nearing completion.

Alfalfa. Hundreds of populations of alfalfa,
Me die ago sativa L., and related species have
been grown to provide study materials. Mor-
phological, numerical, palynological, floral,
and chemical studies are now in progress, and
initial results indicate these disciplines pro-
vide valuable characters for systematic
purposes.

Blueberries. Supervision of contracted pro-
duction of a monograph on the genus Vaccin-
ium in North America continued. During the

past year, distribution maps were made for
the western and Arctic species, an account
was completed of section Vaccinium, and
drawings were prepared for the Appalachian
sections.

Oats. A study of the possibility of identify-
ing oat cultivars by means of pyrolysis-gas
liquid chromatography yielded promising
results. It appears that the method can be
usefully applied as an adjunct to more com-
mon methods of identification.

Barleys. Work is progressing toward prepa-
ration of a world-wide barley cultivar registry,
with pedigree and related information. Col-
lecting expeditions to Argentina and Chile
were completed, and much valuable material
was collected. A comprehensive study of the
Hordeum jubatum complex in Canada and
Alaska was accepted for publication.

Wheat group. Investigations were con-
ducted with regard to elucidating evolution-
ary relationships among the genera of the
Triticeae, with a symposium address given on
this topic being accepted for publication.

Rape, cabbage, and allies. Chemotax-
onomic studies of the Brassica napus complex
were continued, with emphasis on determin-
ing appropriate analytical methodology for
assessing the presence of flavonol glycosides
and glucosinolates. Data for a paper on this
work have been obtained.

Inventory of the cultivated crop plants of
Canada. Considerable literature and herbar-
ium material was assembled toward compila-
tion of an inventory, presenting essential
information, on all plants known to be culti-
vated outdoors for crop purposes in Canada.
Preliminary studies indicate that the inven-
tory will treat about 400 species.

Inventory of Canadian weeds. Work was
begun on the preparation of an inventory of
Canadian weeds that will treat all weedy and
otherwise noxious plants found in Canada.
Common English and French names, correct
scientific names, geographical distribution,
and habitat will be briefly presented for each
of about 1500 species.

Biology of Canadian Weeds series. An
account of the biology of night-flowering
catchfly {Silène noctiflora L.) was completed.
This plant is an important annual weed,
particularly of grain and leguminous crops in
Western Canada. Also, an account of another

156

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

widespread pernicious weed, annual blue
grass (Poa annua L.), was published.

Ragweed. A field survey of ragweed, Am-
brosia, revealed a large hybrid population of
A. ariemisiifolia L. x trifida L. in the
Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Chromo-
some counts varied between n = 18 and n =
22. Studies of Ambrosia trifida showed that
in self-pollinated plants, seed set was much
reduced.

Orach. Nomenclatural and typification
studies were carried out on several taxa of the
widespread weed orach, Atriplex.

Sandworts. Studies of weedy sandworts,
Arenaria, were conducted. Considerable pro-
gress was made on a publication detailing
reasons for assigning the North American
species of Arenaria to five genera rather than
one.

White cockle. Studies of the inheritance
and geographical distribution of two pollen
types in the weed white cockle, Silène alba
(Miller) E.H.L. Krause, were conducted.
Genetic studies established that the features
of one of the pollen types were dominant over
those of the other. Both variants were found
to occur widely in North America, but one is
absent in the Prairie Provinces of Canada and
in the midwestern United States, whereas in
Europe, one variant is found in the east and
the other in the west. It appears that the two
pollen morphs have been introduced repeat-
edly into North America from different
regions of the Old World.

Water weeds. Papers were published on the
introduced weed water-milfoil, Myriophyllum
spicatum L., and on the overwintering buds of
the superficially similar native species M.
exalbescens Fern. Chromosome counts for
these two species and for M. verticillatum L.
were published. Papers have been prepared
and submitted for publication on the influence
that substrate has on the growth and mor-
phology of M. spicatum and M. exalbescens,
on the discovery of M. exalbescens in Europe,
and on the morphology of M. alterniflorum
DC. in relation to substrate.

Grasses of Canada. A paper was published
on Stipa nelsonii Scribner (commonly known
as S. columbiana). Numerical taxonomic
analyses established that this species contains
three infraspecific groups. A key was also
presented by which S. nelsonii can be distin-
guished from related species of Stipa. A

proposal to reject the name Stipa columbiana
was prepared. An extensive monograph de-
scribing the Canadian species of Stipa was
completed and accepted for publication.

As a result of the discovery in Ontario of a
species of salt-meadow grass, Diplachne
acuminata Nash, a paper was published
resolving the confusion that has existed over
the status of the closely related genera
Diplachne and Leptochloa (sprangletops).
Keys were provided to the two genera and the
13 species that occur in America north of
Mexico.

Work was initiated on a generic key for
identifying the grasses of western rangelands.
Progress to date has involved the production
of an attribute list of 85 characters that are
being considered and an initial survey of
approximately 50 of the species using this list.
A computer program to analyze and produce
a key to the data is being tested.

Floristic studies. A survey of vascular
plants of restricted range in Continental
Northwest Territories was published. Exten-
sive colonies of watermeal, Wolffia colum-
biana Karst., a plant new to the flora of
Manitoba, was discovered on beaver ponds in
Riding Mountain National Park during a
survey of the vascular plants of the Park.

Genecological studies of weeds. Experi-
ments examining the response of contrasting
growth forms of annual blue grass, Poa annua
L., to common turfgrass herbicides were
conducted and a manuscript was prepared. A
manuscript was submitted for publication
dealing with the inheritance of atrazine
resistance of different biotypes of lamb's-
quarters, Chenopodium album L. Reciprocal
crosses indicated that there is uniparental
inheritance of resistance through the female
parent only. Studies were conducted examin-
ing the comparative biology of atrazine-
resistant and -susceptible biotypes of lamb's-
quarters. Results indicated that there are
differences in growth and response to atra-
zine, not only between resistant and suscepti-
ble biotypes, but also within biotypes. Fifteen
populations of lamb's-quarters, collected
along an 800 km transect from Ottawa to
Windsor, Ont., were grown in garden plots in
southern and northern Ontario, and analysis
of the collected data is almost complete.
Cultivation trials examining differential
growth of triazine-resistant and triazine-
susceptible biotypes of Senecio vulgaris were
completed and the data analyzed. Preliminary

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

157

competition experiments were conducted on
atrazine-resistant and -susceptible biotypes of
lamb's-quarters and late-flowering goosefoot,
Chenopodium strict um Roth. Electrophoretic
studies were initiated to assess population
variation in lamb's-quarters. Biosystematic
studies were completed on 15 populations of
plantain, Plantago major L., collected from
different habitats along an 800 km transect in

Ontario. Results indicated the presence of
prostrate growth forms in habitats subjected
to intensive mowing.

Water hemlock. A cytotaxonomic study of
members of the water hemlock genus Cicuta
was submitted for publication. It contains a
key to known species, and taxonomic and
other biological information is correlated with
somatic chromosome karyotypes.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Ammirati, J.; Traquair, J.; Martin, S.; Gillon, W.;
Ginns, J. 1979. A new Melanotus from gold-
mine timbers in Ontario. Mycologia 71:310-
321.

Anderson, R. V. 1979. An emendation of the genus
Teratorhabditus stiannula n.sp. (Rhabditidae:
Nematoda). Can. J. Zool. 57(1): 13- 17.

Anderson, R. V. 1979. A supplemental key to
species of Helicotylenchus Steiner, 1945
(Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae) described since
1972 and a description of H. oscephalus n.sp.
Can. J.Zool. 57(2):337-387.

Anderson, R. V. 1979. Benthic species of Dory-
laimus Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Dorylaim-
idae) and Arctidorylaimus n.gen. (Arctidory-
laimidae) n.fam. from the Mackenzie and
Porcupine river systems. Can. J. Zool.
57(4):743-755.

Anderson, R. V.; Mulvey, R. H. 1979. Plant-
parasitic nematodes in Canada. Part 1. An
illustrated key to the genera. Agric. Can.
Monogr. 20. 152 pp.

Arnold, J. W. 1979. Biosystematics of the genus
Euxoa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) XIII. Fur-
ther observations on hemocytological distinc-
tions between species. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:771 -

775.

Back, C; Wood, D. M. 1979. Palaeodipteron
walkeri (Diptera: Nymphomyiidae) in north-
ern Quebec. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:1287-1291.

Barkworth, M. E.; McNeill, J.; Maze, J. 1979. A
taxonomic study of Stipa nelsonii (Poaceae)
with a key distinguishing it from related taxa
in western North America. Can. J. Bot.
57:2539-2553.

Barr, D. J. S. 1979. Morphology and host range of
Pol y my xa graminis, P. betae and Ligniera
pilorum from Ontario and some other soils.
Can. J. Plant Pathol. 1:85-94.

Barr, D. J. S.; Hadland-Hartmann, V. E. 1979.
Zoospore ultrastructure of Phlyctochytrium
plurigibbosum (Chytridiales). Can. J. Bot.
57(l):48-53.

Barron, J. R. 1978. Systematics of the world
Eucerotinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae).
Part II. Non-nearctic species. Nat. Can.
(Que.) 105:327-374.

Baum, B. R. 1978. Generic relationships in
Triticeae based on computations of Jardine
and Gibson Bk clusters. Can. J. Bot.
56(23):2948-2954.

Baum, B. R. 1979. The genus Elymus in Canada —
Bowden's generic concept and key reappraised
and relectotypification of E. canadensis. Can.
J. Bot. 57(8):946-951.

Becker, E. C. 1979. Review of the western nearctic
species of Athous (Coleoptera: Elateridae),
with a key to the species north of Panama.
Can. Entomol. 111:569-614.

Becker, E. C. 1979. Notes of some new world and
palearctic species formerly in Athous Esch-
scholtz and Harminius Fairmaire with new
synonymies (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Can.
Entomol. 111:401-415.

Becker, E. C. 1979. Harminius Fairmaire, a eucne-
mid or an elaterid? (Coleoptera). Can. Ento-
mol. 111:561-568.

Becker, E. C. 1979. Pyrrhalta viburni (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae), a Eurasian pest of Viburnum
recently established in Canada. Can. Entomol.
111:417-419.

Bissett, J. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 151,
Paecilomyces yariotii; No. 1 52, Paecilomyces
carneus\ No. 153, Paecilomyces farinosus; No.
154, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus; No. 155,
Paecilomyces inflatus; No. 156, Paecilomyces
lilacinus; No. 157, Paecilomyces marquandii;
No. 158, Paecilomyces tenuipes; No. 159,
Paecilomyces breviramosus\ No. 160, Marian-
naea elegans.

158

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Bissett, J. 1979. Coclomycetes on Liliales: Dothio-
rella smilacina and Stagonospora smi lacis.
Can. J. Bot. 57(1 9):207 1-2081.

Bissett, J. 1979. Coelomycetes on Liliales: the
genus Phyllosticta. Can. J. Bot. 57(19):2082-
2095.

Bissett, J.; Parkinson, D. 1979. The distribution of
fungi in some alpine soils. Can. J. Bot.
57(1 5): 1609- 1629.

Bissett, J.; Parkinson, D. 1979. Fungal community
structure in some alpine soils. Can. J. Bot.
57(1 5): 1630- 1641.

Bissett, J.; Parkinson, D. 1979. Functional relation-
ships between soil fungi and environment in
alpine tundra. Can. J. Bot. 57( 1 5): 1 642- 1 659.

Bohm, B. A.; Collins, F. W. 1979. Flavonoids of
some species of Chrysosplenium. Biochem.
Syst. Ecol. 7:195-201.

Boivin, B. 1979. Flora of the Prairie Provinces.
Provancheria. 5:42-43(Part IV).

Bolte, K.; Munroe, E. G. 1979. Helmithea aesti-
varia, a geometrid new to North America,
established in B.C. (Lep.: Geometridae: Geo-
metrinae). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:1 121-1 126.

Bright, D. E. 1978. New synonymy, new species,
and taxonomic notes of North American Pity-
ophthorus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Part 111.
Great Basin Nat. 38:71-84.

Campbell, J. M. 1978. New species and records of
new world Micropeplidae. Can. Entomol.
110:1247-1258.

Campbell, J. M. 1978. New species and records of
West Indian Alleculidae (Coleoptera). Stud.
Neotrop. Fauna Environ. 13:203-212.

Campbell, J. M. 1979. Coprophilus castoris, a new
species of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) from
beaver lodges in Eastern Canada. Coleopter-
ist's Bull. 33(2):223-228.

Campbell, J. M. 1979. A revision of the genus
Tachyporus Gravenhorst (Coleoptera: Staph-
ylinidae) of North and Central America.
Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can. 109:1-95.

Cody, W. J. 1979. Vascular plants of restricted
range in the Continental Northwest Territo-
ries, Canada. Syllogeus (Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci.
23. 57 pp.).

Corlett, M. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 131,
Didymella delphinii; No. 149, Apioihyrium
arcticum.

Corlett, M.; Ross, R. G. 1979. Morphology of
Spilocaea pomi on untreated and benomyl-
treated Mcintosh apple leaves. Can. J. Plant
Pathol. 1:79-84.

Corlett, M.; Smith, J. D. 1978. Didymella prox-
imella and its Stagonospora anamorph. Can.
J. Bot. 56(22):2818-2824.

Doane, J. F.; Dondale, C. D. 1979. Seasonal
captures of spiders (Araneae) in a wheat field
and its grassy borders in central Saskatche-
wan. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:439-445.

Dondale, C. D.; Parent, B.; Pitre, D. 1979. A 6-year
study of spiders (Araneae) in a Quebec apple
orchard. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:377-380.

Dondale, C. D.; Redner, J. H. 1979. Revision of the
wolf spider genus Alopecosa Simon in North
America (Araneae: Lycosidae). Can. Entomol.
111:1033-1055.

Dondale, C. D.; Redner, J. H. 1979. Designation of
a lectotype for Phruroiimpus minutus (Ara-
neae: Clubionidae). J. Arachnol. 7:266-267.

Ebsary, B. A. 1979. Description of Criconemoides
pleriannulatus n.sp. (Nematoda: Criconemat-
idae) and a key to the species of Cricone-
moides. Can. J. Zool. 57( 1 ): 1 -5.

Ginns, J. 1979. Henningsia (Polyporaceae) and a
description of the type species. Mycologia
71(2):305-309.

Ginns, J. 1979. The genus Ramaricium (Gompha-
ceae). Bot. Notiser 132:93-102.

Hamilton, K. G. A. 1979. Synopsis of the North
American Philaenini (Rhynchota: Homoptera:
Cercopidae) with a new genus and four new
species. Can. Entomol. 111:1 27- 141.

Holland, G. P. 1979. Three new species of fleas
from Canada (Siphonaptera). Can. Entomol.
111:713-719.

Hudson, A. 1979. Additional isozyme characters
that differentiate two closely related species of
Hybomitra (Diptera: Tabanidae). Can. Ento-
mol. 111:351-356.

Hughes, S. J. 1979. Relocation of species of
Endophragmia auct. with notes on relevant
generic names. N.Z.J. Bot. 17:139-188.

Hughes, S. J. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 132,
Capnobotrys neesii; No. 143, Acrophragmis
canadensis; No. 148, Endophragmiella uni-
spetata; No. 1 50, Phragmocephala elliptica.

Hughes, S. J.; Cooke, J. C. 1979. Fungi Ca-
nadenses: No. 144, Pseudospiropes nodosus;
No. 145, Pseudospiropes simplex; No. 146,
Dendryphion comosum; No. 147, Dendryphion
nanum.

Kelton, L. A. 1979. Two new species of Phytocoris
from western Canada (Heteroptera: Miridae).
Can. Entomol. 111:689-692.

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

159

Kelton, L. A. 1979. Labopidea Uhler in North
America, with descriptions of a new species
and a new genus (Heteroptera: Miridae). Can.
Entomol. 111:753-758.

Kelton. L. A. 1979. A new genus Brooksella, near
Ilnacora Reuter, with new synonymy and new
combinations for 15 species currently placed in
Melanotrichus Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae).
Can. Entomol. 111:949-954.

Krant7, G. W.; Lindquist, E. E. 1979. Evolution of
phytophagous mites (Acari). Ann. Rev. Ento-
mol. 24:121-158.

Malloch, D. W.; Redhead, S. A. 1979. Fungi
Canadenses: No. 142, Phaeomarasmius
rhombosporus.

Masner, L. 1979. The variicornis-group of Gryon
Haliday (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Can.
Entomol. 111:791-805.

Masner, L. 1979. Pleural morphology in scelionid
wasps (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) — An aid to
higher classification. Can. Entomol. 111:1078-
1079.

Masner, L.; Huggert, L. 1979. Descriptions of new
taxa in the Thoronini (Hymenoptera, Procto-
trupoidea, Scelionidae). Can. Entomol.
111:911-917.

Masner, L.; Huggert, L. 1979. Revision of the
world species of Aradophagini (Hymenoptera:
Scelionidae). Can. Entomol. 111:1089-1100.

Masner, L.; Johnson, N. F. 1979. A new species of
Telenomus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an
egg parasite of the ambush bug, Phymata sp.
(Heteroptera: Phymatidae). Can. Entomol.
111:1115-1119.

Mason, W. R. M. 1979. A new Rogas (Hymenop-
tera: Braconidae) parasite of tent caterpillars
(Malacosoma spp. Lepidoptera: Lasiocampi-
dae) in Canada. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:783-786.

Mason, W. R. M. 1979. A new genus and species of
Orgilini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from
New Guinea. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash.
81(4):640-644.

McNeill, J. 1979. Purposeful phenetics. Syst. Zool.
28:463-480.

McNeill, J. 1979. Diplachne and Leptochloa
(Poaceae) in North America. Brittonia 31:399-
404.

McNeill, J. 1979. Structural value: A concept used
in the construction of taxonomic classifications.
Taxon 28(5/6):48 1 -504.

McNeill, J.; Bassett, I. J.; Crompton, C. W. 1979.
Atriplex suckleyi (Torrey) Rydb., the correct
name for A. diocia (Nutt.) Macbride. Taxon
28:588-590.

Mulligan, G.A.I 979. Four new species of Draba in
northwestern North America. Can. J. Bot.
57:1873-1875.

Mulligan, G. A.; Cody, W. J. 1979. Chromosome
numbers in Canadian Phegopteris. Can. J. Bot.
57(17):1815-1819.

Mulligan, G. A.; Junkins, B. E. 1978. The tax-
onomic rank of Rydberg's poison ivy. Nat.
Can. (Que.) 105:291-293.

Mulvey, R. H.; Anderson, R. V. 1979. Benthic
species of Dorylaimus Dujardin 1845 (Nema-
toda: Dorylaimidae) and Arctidorylaimus
n.gen. (Arctidorylaimidae n. fam.) from the
Mackenzie and Porcupine river systems,
Northwest Territories, Canada. Can. J. Zool.
57(4):743-755.

Mutuura, A.; Munroe, E. G. 1979. American
species of Dioryctria (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
V. Three new cone-feeding species from the
southeastern United States. J. Georgia Ento-
mol. Soc. 14(4):290-304.

Nilsoon, T.; Ginns, J. 1979. Cellulolytic activity
and the taxonomic position of selected brown-
rot fungi. Mycologia 71(1): 170-1 77.

Ohira, H.; Becker, E. C. 1978. A new species of
Brachylacon from Hawaii (Coleoptera: Elater-
idae). Coleopterist's Bull. 32(4):323-326.

Parmelee, J. A. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 134,
Gymnosporangium betheli; No. 135, Gymno-
sporangium globosum; No. 1 36, Gymnospo-
rangium inconspicuum; No. 137, Gymnospo-
rangium juniperi-virginianae; No. 138,
Gymnosporangium nelsonii; No. 139, Gymno-
sporangium nidus-avis\ No. 140, Roestelea
brucensis.

Parmelee, J. A.; Cauchon, R. 1979. Strasseria on
Pinaceae in Canada. Can. J. Bot. 57( 1 5): 1 660-
1662.

Pickersgill, B.; Heiser, C. B.; McNeill, J. 1979.
Numerical taxonomic studies on variation and
domestication in some species of Capsicum.
Pages 679-700 in J. G. Hawkes, R. N. Lester,
and A. D. Skelding, eds. The biology and
taxonomy of the Solanaceae. Academic Press,
London and New York (Linnean Society
Symposium Series Number 7).

Redhead, S. A. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 133,
Psathynella typhae.

Redhead, S. A.; Watling, R. 1979. A new psammo-
philic Leccinum. Can. J. Bot. 57(2): 1 17-1 19.

Savile, D. B. O. 1978. Ring counts in Salix arctica
from Northern Ellesmere Island. Can. Field-
Nat. 93:81-82.

Savile, D. B. O. 1979. Fungi Canadenses: No. 141,
Melampsora hirculi.

160

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Schmid, F.; Denning, D. G. 1979. Descriptions of
new Annulipalpia (Trichoptera) from south-
eastern Asia. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:243-249.

Scotter, G. W.; Cody, W. J. 1979. Interesting
\ascular plants from southeastern Yukon Ter-
ritory. Can. Field-Nat. 93:163-170.

Small, E. 1978. A numerical and nomenclatural
analysis of morpho-geographic taxa of Humu-
/iM.Syst. Bot. 3(l):37-76.

Smetana. A. 1 978. Remarks on some Xantholininae
(Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Coleopterist's
Bull. 32(4):337-344.

Smetana, A. 1979. Revision of the subfamily
Sphaeridiinae of America north of Mexico
(Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Supplementum
I. Can. Entomol. 111:959-966.

Smith, I. M. 1979. Descriptions of new species of
Trisetacus (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) from
Pinaceae in eastern North America. Can.
Entomol. 111:425-429.

Smith. I. M. 1979. A review of water mites of the
family Anisitsiellidae (Prostigmata: Labertioi-
dea) from North America. Can. Entomol.
111:529-550.

Teskey. H. J.; Thomas, A. W. 1979. Identity of
Hybomitra typhus and description of a new
species previously confused with it (Diptera:
Tabanidae). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:343-350.

Teskey, H. J.; Turnbull, C. 1979. Diptera puparia
from pre-historic graves. Can. Entomol.

111:527-528.

Thompson, B. K.; Baum, B. R. 1978. Preparation of
a barley register: an information retrieval
system for cultivars. Taxon 27(5/6):47 1-477.

Uetz, G. W.; Dondale, C. D. 1979. A new wolf
spider in the genus Schizocosa (Araneae:
Lycosidae) from Illinois. J. Arachnol. 7(1 ):86-
88.

Warwick, S. I. 1979. The biology of Canadian
weeds. 37. Poa annua L. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:1053-1066.

Warwick, S. I.; Briggs, D. 1978. The genecology of
lawn weeds. I. Population differentiation in
Poa annua L. in a mosaic environment of
bowling green lawns and flower beds. New
Phytol. 81:71 1-723.

Warwick, S. I.: Briggs, D. 1978. The genecology of
lawn weeds. II. Evidence for disruptive selec-
tion in Poa annua L. in a mosaic environment
of bowling green lawns and flower beds. New
Phytol. 81:725-737.

Warwick, S. I.; Briggs, D. 1979. The genecology of
lawn weeds. III. Cultivation experiments with
Achillea millefolium L., Bellis perennis L.,
PI ant ago lanceolata L., Plant ago major L.

and Prunella vulgaris L. collected from lawns
and contrasting grassland habitats. New Phy-
tol. 83:509-536.

Warwick, S. I.; Souza Machado, V.; Marriage, P.
B.; Bandeen, J. D. 1979. Resistance of Cheno-
podium strictum Roth (late-flowering goose-
foot) to atrazine. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:269-
270.

Weiss, M. J.; Williams, R. N.; Loan, C.C. 1978.
Euphorine parasitism of Stelidota geminata
(Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) with descrip-
tion of a new species of Microctonus Wesmael
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Nat. Can. (Que.)
105:323-326.

Wood, D. M. 1978. Taxonomy of the nearctic
species of Twinnia and Gymnopais (Diptera:
Simuliidae) and a discussion of the ancestry of
theSimuliidae. Can. Entomol. 110:1297-1337.

Wood, D. M.; Dang, P. T.; Ellis, R. A. 1979. The
insects and arachnids of Canada. Part 6. The
mosquitoes of Canada. Agric. Can. Publ. 1686.
390 pp.

Yoshimoto, C. M.; Gibson, G. A. P. 1979. A new
genus of Eurytomidae (Chalcidoidea: Eury-
tomidae, Aximinae) from Brazil. Can. Ento-
mol. 111:421-424.

Miscellaneous

Arnold, J. W. 1979. Controversies about hemoctype
types in insects. Chapter 8, Pages 231-258 in
A. P. Gupta, ed. Insect hemoctyes: develop-
ment, forms, functions and techniques. Cam-
bridge University Press.

Arnold, J. W. 1979. A new look at insect taxonomy.
Can. Agric. 24(2):20-22.

Arnold, J. W.; Hinks, C. F. 1979. Insect hemocytes
under light microscopy: techniques. Chapter
18, pages 531-538 in A. P. Gupta, ed. Hemo-
cytes: development, forms, functions and tech-
niques. Cambridge University Press.

Barkworth, M. E.; McNeill, J. 1979. Intraspecific
taxa in Stipa nelsonii Scribner (=S. Colum-
biana sensu A. S. Hitchcock). Bot. Soc. Am.
Misc. Ser. Publ. 157:50 (Abstract).

Bassett, I. J. 1979. Book review: Pollen flora of
Argentina: modern spore and pollen types of
Pteridophyta, Gymospermae and Angiosper-
mae. Can. Field-Nat. 93:102.

Bassett, I. J. 1979. Book review: Atlas of airborne
pollen grains and spores in northern Europe.
Can. Field-Nat. 93:103.

Campbell, J. M., with contributions by G. E. Ball,
E. C. Becker, D. E. Bright, J. Helava, H. F.
Howden, R. H. Parry, S. B. Peck, and A.
Smetana. 1979. Coleoptera in Canada and its

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

161

insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:357-387.

Cody, W. J. 1979. Book review: Manual of the
vascular plants of Wyoming by Robert D.
Dorn.Can. Field-Nat. 93:21 1 .

Cody, W. J. 1979. Book review: A provisional
checklist of species for flora North America
(Revised) by S. G. Shetler and L. E. Skog.
Can. Field-Nat. 93:212.

Cody, W. J. 1979. Book review: Vascular plant
families by J. P. Smith. Can. Field-Nat.

93:457.

Dondale, C. D. 1979. Araneae in Canada and its
insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:247-250.

Dondale, C. D. 1979. Opiliones, Pseudoscorpionida,
Scorpionida, Solifugae in Canada and its
insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:250-251.

Downes, J. A. 1979. Mecoptera in Canada and its
insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.

108:387-388.

Ebsary, B. A. 1979. Erratum: Characteristics of
Nothocriconema sphagni (Nemaloda: Cri-
conematidae) from Canada. Can. J. Zool.

57(l):277-279.

Ginns, J. 1979. Book review: Identification of wood-
inhabiting Aphyllopharales in pure culture by
J. A. Stalpers. Mycologia 7 1 ( 1 ):224-225.

Goulet, H. 1979. Contribution of characters of
larvae to Systematics of Carabidae. Pages 205-
208 in T. L. Erwin, G. E. Ball, and D. R.
Whitehead, eds. Carabid beetles. Their evolu-
tion; natural history, and classification. Dr. W.
Junk Publishers. 635 pp.

Holland, G. P. 1979. Siphonaptera in Canada and
its insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:424-426.

Jarvis, W. R.; Shoemaker, R. A. 1978. Letter to the
Editor: Taxonomic status of Fusarium oxyspo-
rum causing foot and root rot of tomato.
Phytopathology 68: 1 679- 1 680.

Lindquist, E. E., with contributions by B. D.
Ainscough, F. V. Clulow, R. C. Funk, V. G.
Marshall, H. H. J. Nesbitt, B. M. O'Connor, [.
M. Smith, and P. R. Wilkinson. 1979. Acari in
Canada and its insect fauna. Mem. Entomol.
Soc. Can. 108:252-290.

Martin, J. E. H. 1979. Phthiraptera (Mallophaga
and Anoplura) in Canada and its insect fauna.
Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can. 108:326-328.

Masner, L., with contributions by J. R. Barron, H.
V. Danks, A. T. Finnamore, A. Francoeur, G.
A. P. Gibson, W. R. M. Mason, and C. M.
Yoshimoto. Hymenoptera in Canada and its

insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:485-508.

Masner, L.; Gibson, G. A. P. 1979. The separation
bag — a new device to aid in collecting insects.
Can. Entomol. 111:1197-1198.

Matsuda, R. 1979. Morphologie du thorax et des
appendices thoraciques des insectes. In P.
Grasse, éd. Traité de Zoologie, Masson Press,
Paris. 289 pp.

McAlpine, J. F., with contributions by J. A.
Downes, D. R. Oliver, B. V. Peterson, G. E.
Shewell, H. J. Teskey, J. R. Vockeroth, and D.
M. Wood. 1979. Diptera in Canada and its
insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:389-424.

McNeill, J. 1979. The biology of the pollen morphs
of Silène alba. Bot. Soc. Am. Misc. Ser. Publ.
157:63 (Abstract).

McNeill, J. 1979. The application of iterative
character-weighting in numerical taxonomy.
Bot. Soc. Am. Misc. Ser. Publ. 157:63
(Abstract).

Miller, J. F.; Mulligan, G. A., et al. 1979. Common
weed seedlings of the United States and
Canada. Univ. Georgia Coll. Agric, Athens.
31 pp.

Mulligan, G. A. 1978. Barbarea stricta Andrz., a
new introduction to Quebec. Nat. Can. (Que.)
105:297-298.

Munroe, E. G. 1979. Lepidoptera in Canada and its
insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:427-481.

Nagy, J. A.; Pearson, A. M.; Goski, B. C; Cody,
W. J. 1979. Range extensions of vascular
plants in northern Yukon Territory and north-
western District of Mackenzie. Can. Field-
Nat. 93:259-265.

Oliver, D. R. 1979. Contribution of life history
information to taxonomy of aquatic insects. J.
Fish. Res. Board Can. 36(3):3 1 8-32 1 .

Peterson, B. V. 1978. Comments on the current
status of North American black fly taxonomy
(Diptera: Simuliidae). Proc. 1st Int. Reg.
Conf. North American Black Flies. 181 pp.

Redhead, S. A. 1979. Addendum to J. W. Groves
"Edible and poisonous mushrooms of Canada."
Agric. Can. Publ. 1112.

Richards, W. R. 1979. Collembola in Canada and
its insect fauna. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.
108:300-303.

Schmid, F. 1979. On some new trends in trichopter-
ology. Bull. Entomol. Soc. Can. 48-57.

Small, E. 1979. The species problem in Cannabis.
Science and semantics. Volume 1: Science.
Corpus. 218 pp.

162

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Small, E. 1979. The species problem in Cannabis.
Science and semantics. Volume 2: Semantics.
Corpus. 156 pp.

Smetana, A. 1979. Staphylinus fulgidus as the
types species of several staphylinid genera
(Insecta, Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Z.N.(S.)
2221. Bull. Zool. Nomencl. 36(l):44-52.

Smetana, A. 1979. Book review: Ordnung Coleop-
tera (Larven) by B. Klausnitzer. Bull. Ento-
mol. Soc. Can. 2(l):23-24.

Warwick, S. I.; Marriage, P. B. 1979. Differential
growth and response to atrazine, between and
within susceptible and resistant biotypes of
common lambs'-quarters (Chenopodium al-
bum L.). In Abstracts of 1979. Meeting of the
Weed Science Society of America ( 1 979).

Weiss, N. J.; Williams, R. M.; Loan, C. C. 1978.
Euphorinae parasitism of Stelidota geminata
(Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) with descrip-
tion of a new species of Microctonus wesmall
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Nat. Can. (Que.)
105:323-326.

Weresub, L. K. 1979. Anamorph and telemorph:
terms for organs of reproduction rather than
karyological phases. Mycotaxon 8:181-186.

Weresub, L. K. 1979. Mycological nomenclature:
Reflections on its future in the light of its past.
Sydowia 27:416-431.

Weresub, L. K. 1979. Nomenclature of Ceratocys-
tis microspora. Mycologia 71 (4):834-835.

Weresub, L. K.; Hughes, S. J. 1979. Proposal to
emend entries under Helminthosporium E.M.
Fries, nom. cons. (Fungi). Taxon 28:605-607.

BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

163

Chemistry and Biology Research Institute

Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

W. Baier, Diplomlandwirt, Dr. agr., M.Sc. Acting Director

S. U. Khan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C, F.R.I.C. Assistant Director
G. T. Spurr Administrative Officer

Plant Pathology

C. Madhosingh, D.I.C.T.A., B.S.A., M.S. A., Ph.D. Program leader; Enzymology of

pathogenic fungi
L. R. Barran, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Cell membrane biochemistry

R. B. Pringle, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D., F.A.A.A.S. Host-specific toxins

E. F. Schneider, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D. Sporulation and wall structure

I. L. Stevenson, B.S.A., M.S. A., Ph.D. Cytology and physiology

Virus and Mycoplasma

R. C. Sinha, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., D.Sc

L. N. Chiykowski, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Y. C. Paliwal, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Virus and

mycoplasma vector relationships
Leafhopper-transmitted mycoplasma
Aphid- and mite-transmitted viruses

Environmental Chemistry

S. U. Khan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C, F.R.I.C. Program leader; Herbicides

R. Greenhalgh, B.S., Ph.D. Organophosphorus insecticides

M. Ihnat, B.Sc, Ph.D. Inorganic chemistry

D. A. Shearer, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.C.I.C. Insect pheromones

J. C. Young, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Analytical organic chemistry

Soil Chemistry and Biology

M. Schnitzer, B.Sc (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.S.S., Program leader;

F.A.S.A., F.S.S.S.A. Soil organic matter

D. S. Gamble, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C. Soil phosphorus

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

165

K. C. Ivarson, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.

H. Kodama, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.Sc

S. P. Mathur, B.Sc, Assoc I.A.R.I., Ph.D.

N. M. Miles, B.Sc.

H. Morita, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.Sc

C. Preston, B.Sc, Ph.D.

L. Purdie, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. J. Ross, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. S. Singh, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Soil nitrogen
Soil mineralogy
Organic soils
Soil mineralogy
Organic soils
Soil nitrogen
Soil nitrogen
Soil mineralogy
Soil chemistry

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

R. W. Miller, B.S., Ph.D.

R. M. Behki, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. M. Lesley, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.

F. D. H. Macdowall, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. A. Peterson, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

J. C. Sirois, B.A., B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Biochemistry,
enzymology
Genetic manipulation
Genetic manipulation
Physiology
Bacteriology
Physiology

Winterhardiness

D. Siminovitch, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

C. J. Andrews, B.Sc, Ph.D.

F. D. H. Macdowall, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. K. Pomeroy, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. Singh, B.S., Ph.D.

J. C. Sirois, B.A., B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Frost hardiness,

lipids and membrane
Winter survival of cereals
Frost damage, chloroplast

membrane
Frost resistance, biochemistry, and

cytology
Frost hardiness
Growth regulators

Analytical Chemistry Services

S. U. Khan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C, F.R.I.C. Program leader

Electron Microscope Centre

I. L. Stevenson, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
G. H. Haggis, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader
Electron microscopy

VISITING SCIENTISTS

F. Haque, B.Sc, Ph.D.
Ottawa University

166

Pesticide degradation

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

K. Ghosh, B.Sc, M.Sc, D. Phil. Soil organic matter

National Research Council visiting fellow
B. E. Gudleifsson, Candidatus agr., Licensiat agr. Winter survival

Agricultural Research Institute, Iceland

Postgraduate student
A. H. Khadhair, B.Sc, M.Sc. Plant virology

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 167

INTRODUCTION

The activities of the Chemistry and Biology Research Institute are integrated into
multidisciplinary, mission-oriented programs that have regional responsibility for research in
basic and applied sciences related to agriculture. The activities are conducted under eight main
programs including a new separate virus and mycoplasma program.

Research is concerned with interrelationships between microorganisms, viruses, soils, and
plants. The research programs place particular emphasis on the mineralogy, biology, and
chemistry of soils; frost hardiness; nitrogen fixation in legume crops; plant viruses and
mycoplasma; environmental chemistry including organic toxins, trace elements, and pesticides;
and fusarium/spot blotch disease. New or improved analytical methods for the determination
of various constituents in agricultural materials are developed.

Services include mineralogical analyses by means of X-ray diffraction, electron
microscope facilities, and analytical chemistry services. The facilities of the Electron
Microscope Centre were used by various establishments within the Research Branch,
universities, and outside agencies. The Analytical Chemistry Services provided a wide range of
chemical analyses and structural information on extracts from agricultural and food products
by means of advanced analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry. Special technical assistance was given to the TV-nitrosamine monitoring program
of the Health of Animals Branch and PCBs analyses in Canadian poultry.

Highlights of the 1979 research program include evidence of biodegradability of most of
the "unknown" soil nitrogen and the discovery that up to 25% of this nitrogen may occur in
nucleic acid bases; chemical identification of bound pesticide residues; development of
techniques for characterization of nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains and selection of plants for
maximal nitrogenase activity; the establishment of mechanisms of resistance to and injury of
plant cells by frost hardiness; and the discovery of peach X-disease transmission by certain
leafhoppers. A "Bulletin" describing details of Analytical Chemistry Services in the Institute
was published and widely distributed across the country.

There were some organizational changes in the Institute. The Director, Dr. Saha, assumed
new duties in May as leader of the task force on managerial accountability and in November as
Acting Director General of the Central Region. Dr. W. Baier, of the Land Resource Research
Institute, was appointed Acting Director of CBRI in May 1979. Dr. Khan became Assistant
Director in November 1979.

The Institute is missing the dedicated service of Mr. Allan Van Dusen, who died in
August 1979.

This report summarizes only the highlights of our achievements in 1979. Reprints of the
research publications and copies of this report are available from the Chemistry and Biology
Research Institute, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A 0C6.

Wolfgang Baier
Acting Director

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Fusarium

Certain thiol reagents promote earlier lysis
of the cells of Fusarium sulphureum and
enhance the cellular response to lower concen-
trations of the fungicide benomyl. The cell
walls of young and mature conidia were
shown to be drastically different from each
other and from normal hyphal walls. These
marked differences are reflected in the stabil-
ity of the wall to chemical treatments. The

stability of the mature conidial wall may
confer longevity to the cells.

Chlamydospores of F. sulphureum were
most resistant to heating in comparison to
macroconidia and thiol-induced spores. How-
ever, the macroconidia were most resistant to
desiccation and freeze-thaw stress. The thiol-
induced spores were most susceptible to all
three types of stress. These results indicate
that macroconidia must also be considered as
survival spores.

168

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Macroconidial lipids showed no change
upon desiccation of these spores, but the
triglycerides of the chlamydospores decreased
by 50% with a concomitant increase in free
fatty acids. All of the free water in chlamydo-
spores and macroconidia could be removed by
desiccation without impairing spore viability.

The effects of the metabolic inhibitors
clofibrate, SKF525A, AY9944, and Dimilin
on the pathogenic wheat fungus F. culmorum
were examined in relation to growth, oxygen
uptake, and conidia germination. Clofibrate
and AY9944 reduced sterol production by
88% and 72%, respectively, in liquid cultures.
At 10 /lM concentration clofibrate, AY9944,
SKF525A, and Dimilin reduced conidia ger-
mination 75%, 30%, 40%, and 40%, respec-
tively. Their effects, except for clofibrate, on
growth and oxygen uptake were insignificant.
Clofibrate, however, inhibited growth 71%
and simultaneously stimulated oxygen uptake
123%. The extraordinary effect of clofibrate
on oxygen uptake by the conidia of F.
culmorum is particularly interesting as it
indicates a significant effect other than sterol
inhibition. The other sterol-inhibiting agents
SKF525A and AY9944 at the same molar
concentration had no significant effect on
oxygen uptake. The relatively high oxygen-
uptake activity of cultures grown at 15°C
coincides with the rather unusual membrane
and lipid metabolic activities observed pre-
viously in F. oxysporum grown at the same
temperature.

The inhibitors were not as effective on
growth in agar cultures even at higher con-
centrations although the relative pattern of
inhibition between the agents remained the
same both for growth and sterol inhibition.
Dimilin, an inhibitor of chitin synthesis,
which has been used as an insecticide, demon-
strated little effect on the growth of the
fungus which also synthesizes chitin.

Although neither the prime site of activity
nor the mechanism of action of clofibrate is
clearly understood, the data obtained suggest
its potential in the control of microbial plant
diseases. The treatments of seeds with clofi-
brate to control root diseases in wheat seed-
lings is being examined.

Spot blotch disease

A nonspecific sporeling adhesion factor
which is responsible for the first and initial
phase of host-parasite contact was obtained
from Coehliobolus sativus. The substance

appears to be a positively charged polymer of
galactosamine and is produced rapidly and in
some isolates in relatively large amounts in
liquid culture. Attempts are being made to
stabilize and examine biologically the labile
host-selective toxins of this pathogen.

Rumen microbiology

Amino acid excretion by the rumen an-
aerobe Eubacterium ruminanticum was fol-
lowed in the presence of the valine antimetab-
olite a-aminobutyric acid. Valine
biosynthesis as an excretion was not subject to
the normal regulatory mechanisms. Further-
more, the concomitant stimulation of isoleu-.
cine excretion indicated the importance of
alternate sources of the a-keto precursor of
this amino acid (other than threonine deami-
nation) in the anaerobic environment.

VIRUS AND MYCOPLASMA

Peach X-disease

Alternative hosts of the disease that may
serve as reservoirs of the pathogen in nature
and the herbaceous hosts that can be used as
sources for purification of the mycoplasma are
being determined. The disease was transmit-
ted from infected chokecherry, collected in
the Harrow area, to peach seedlings by the
leafhopper Scaphytopius acutus. Also, trans-
mission was achieved through another leaf-
hopper, Paraphlepsius irroratus, from the
same chokecherry source to celery, ladino and
red clover, ragweed, broadbean, and chrysan-
themum— the last four being new host records
for the disease. An abundance of mycoplasma
in tissues of all hosts to which the disease was
transmitted was detected by electron micros-
copy. A technique for successful laboratory
rearing of P. irroratus was developed. Dis-
eased chokecherry, dogwood, and milkweed
plants were collected in the Ottawa area and
X-disease was transmitted from chokecherry
to peach seedlings by bark grafting. My-
coplasma cells were detected in diseased
peach seedlings.

Analysis of different parts of peach trees
that were injected at Harrow with oxytetracy-
cline, an antibiotic that provides remission of
the disease, showed that residual antibiotic
activity varied with the dosage injected, peach
variety, time after injection, and individual
peach trees.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

169

Forage legume diseases

Studies on a number of isolates of viruses
from red clover fields showed that a virus,
probably a strain of pea streak, is most
prevalent in eastern Ontario. Cryopreser-
vation studies revealed that clover phyllody
and clover yellow edge mycoplasma could be
preserved in their leafhopper vectors for at
least 2 and 1 .25 yr, respectively, at -64°C.

Barley yellow dwarf virus

In studies on annual variation of virus
strain spectrum in eastern Ontario and west-
ern Quebec, the vector nonspecific, the corn
aphid-specific, and the English grain aphid-
specific strains were prevalent in oat and
barley crops in 1979. The greenbug-specific
strain was not found and the cherry-oat
aphid-specific strain prevalent in 1977 was
insignificant in 1978 and again this year. The
strains of the nonspecific type have been
common every year but the spectrum of
vector-specific strains is quite variable from
year to year. The cereal root aphid, a new
vector recognized in 1978, was found to have
a wide host range in cereals and grasses but
did not appear to overwinter in Ontario.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Inorganic chemistry

Silicon in animal blood plasma/serum. A
rapid, interference-free, filtration-light abs-
orption spectrometric method was assessed
and applied to the determination of Si in
animal blood plasma/serum. The method
gave analytical results more conveniently and
precisely than conventional sample treatment
by digestion/fusion, and a much reduced,
reproducible reagent blank. Levels of Si found
in bovine and ovine blood plasma and sera
were typically near 1 /xg/mL, with proce-
dural reagent blanks consistently near 0.1 fig
per determination. The method was applied to
the measurement of silicon in plasma of lambs
and ewes to evaluate the effects of environ-
ment, diet, and age on silicon concentrations.

Organic chemistry

Ergot alkaloids. Chemical analyses of
Canadian rye ergot have shown that there can
be significant variations in the alkaloid con-
tent and composition of individual sclerotia.
Up to 40-fold differences in total alkaloid
content have been observed even from within

the same field. There are some regional
differences in alkaloid content and composi-
tion; levels tend to be lower in Prince Edward
Island, and among the dozen or so alkaloids
present, ergotamine is the predominant one in
the Maritimes, whereas in central Canada
and on the prairies it is ergocristine. The
composition of western Canadian wheat ergot
appears to be similar to that of rye from the
same region.

In a collaborative study concerning the
toxic effects of ergotamine in poultry, prelimi-
nary results show that the alkaloid in feed has
significant dose-related effects. Ergotamine
caused reduced feed intake and weight gain,
necrosis of skin and toes, and death.

Pheromones and attractants. Three acids,
hexaoic, octanoic, and (£)oct-2-enoic, were
identified in royal jelly volatiles, honey bee
worker mandibular gland extract, and mated
queen head extract. An attractive fraction
was separated from an extract of queen honey
bee heads by column chromatography. The
activity was found to survive distillation but
was lost when other techniques such as GC,
HPLC, TLC, and hydrogénation were sup-
plied. The volatile acids produced by the
American foulbrood organism when grown on
a culture medium have been studied and
compared to those found in the brood from an
infected hive. Nine acids were identified in the
free acid fraction and ten in the saponified
fraction from the culture. Eight of these acids
were also found in the brood from infected
hives, as well as two others which were not
found in the culture. A fraction attractive to
honey bees, isolated by column chromatogra-
phy from a pollen extract, was further sepa-
rated by HPLC. A mass spectrum of one of
the components indicated a molecular weight
of 533 and an infrared spectrum showed
peaks indicative of an ester group and trans-
double bonds.

N-Nitrosamine in bacon. A study was
initiated to determine the botulinal inhibition
of some fatty acylamino acids in combination
with low levels of nitrite in bacon. Laurylme-
thionine, applied to typticase soy agar and
reinforced clostridial agar seeded with various
microorganisms, significantly inhibited
growth of Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus cereous,
Micrococcus luteus, Clostridium botulinum
(A and B), and Clostridium sporogenes, and
somewhat inhibited growth of Streptococcus
zymogenes and Staphylococcus aurens.
Ground bacon inoculated with Clostridium

170

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

sporogenes showed that increasing amounts of
laurylmethionine (0-30 mg/g) reduced the
counts from 2.7 x 108 to < 1.0 x 103 in fat
bacon and from 1.7 x 107 to < 1.0 x 102 in
lean bacon.

Pesticides

Pesticides in organic soils. Bound (unex-
tractable) radiolabeled residues were formed
when an organic soil treated with l4C-ring-
labeled prometryn was incubated aerobically.
A high-temperature distillation technique was
developed for determining and chemically
identifying the bound residues. A steady
decrease of extractable l4C residues was
accompanied by a corresponding increase of
bound l4C residues over a 150 day incubation
period. Similarly, a decrease of extractable
prometryn residues over a 345 day period in
the field-treated soil was accompanied by an
increase of bound residues. A considerable
portion of the bound residues was identified as
prometryn. Data demonstrate that special
attention should also be given to bound
residues in assessing the persistence or disap-
pearance of pesticides in the organic soil.

Pesticides in mineral soils. The K0VJ (parti-
tion coefficient) values determined for fensul-
fothion, its sulfoxide, phorate, fonofos, and
isazophos determined by gas chromatographic
method were 230, 375, 6113, 8637, and 1864,
respectively. Adsorption studies with fensul-
fothion showed that uptake of the pesticide by
soil from water was very rapid. The half-life
of fensulfothion in an iron-rich loam soil was
found to be 45 days.

Pesticides in plants and food crops. Abs-
orption of glyphosate and TV-nitrosoglyphosate
from soil treated with high rates of these
compounds and their translocation in oat
plants were observed in a greenhouse experi-
ment. /V-Nitrosoglyphosate moved more read-
ily into the root and subsequently into the
shoot of oat plants than glyphosate. Forma-
tion of 7V-nitrosoglyphosate in soil and its
uptake by plants under normal field condi-
tions is not expected.

The uptake of fensulfothion by rutabagas
and carrots was determined using microfield
plots treated with the equivalent of 4 and 8
kg/ha. Residue levels in rutabagas were 1.1
ppm in the roots, 0.6 ppm in the peel, and 0.1
ppm in the pulp for 4 kg/ha and 10.8, 2.1, and
1.5 ppm, respectively, for 8 kg/ha. In carrots,
the levels were higher after both treatments,
at 30.6 ppm in peel and 1 2.0 ppm in pulp for 4

kg/ha and 52.2 and 11.0 ppm, respectively,
for 8 kg/ha. The ratio of sulfoxide/sulfone,
which ranged from 0.3 to 1.2 in rutabagas and
from 2.4 to 7.0 in carrots, suggested the
presence of oxidative system in rutabagas.

A new metabolite of isazophos was isolated
from the leaves of rye grass grown in treated
soil. It was characterized as the dechloro
derivative by GC/MS.

Pesticides in farm animals. The soluble
fraction (105 000 X g) from goose, pig, and
sheep liver-homogenates was found to contain
an enzyme which metabolized a mixture of
atrazine and simazine during in vitro incuba-
tion by a combination of hydrolysis and
partial TV-dealkylation. Complete dealkylation
was not observed as evidenced by the removal
of only one alkyl group, but not both, from the
compounds containing chlorine or hydroxyl
groups attached to the triazine ring.

SOIL CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY

Soil chemistry and mineralogy

Uptake of cadmium by lettuce. Experi-
ments on the uptake of Cd by lettuce showed
that there were significant differences in the
uptake and accumulation of Cd in lettuce
depending on whether Cd was added as
inorganic salt or in sewage sludges. The
average plant Cd concentration was about five
times greater with inorganic treatments
(28.09 /Xg/g) than with sludge treatments
(5.65 fJig/g). Results obtained from inorganic
Cd amended treatments reported in the
literature may not be reliable in the develop-
ment of guidelines for land disposal of sewage
sludges.

Soil chemical characteristics as influenced
by S04 ions. Investigations on the equilibra-
tion of CaSO,, solutions with some Canadian
acid soils containing amorphous oxides
showed that CEC of these soils increased
after equilibration with S04 solutions.

Soil phosphate. Two aspects of soil phos-
phate are of general importance to agricul-
ture. One is the immediate availability of
phosphate to growing crops, and the other is
the long-range reserve of phosphate in agri-
cultural soils.

Because it is assumed that bioavailability
depends on the amounts and chemical species
of phosphate in solution, an investigation was
started on the chemical species in aluminum

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

171

orthophosphate solutions. The first studies are
being done with aluminum phosphates,
because of the importance of aluminum in the
chemistry of high-rainfall Eastern soils. Since
metastable and quasiequilibrium aluminum
phosphate solution species are expected under
field conditions, an acid-base titration method
is being used.

Effect of soil organic matter on the crystal-
lization of aluminum hydroxides. The pres-
ence of fulvic acid, a water-soluble soil
organic matter fraction, at low concentrations
delayed, but at high concentration inhibited
the crystallization of aluminum hydroxides.
At low fulvic acid concentrations, the crystal-
lization of pseudoboehmite, an aluminum
oxyhydroxide, over gibbsite was favored. Our
data explain the absence of substantial con-
centrations of crystalline aluminum hydrox-
ides in organic-matter-rich soils developed
under cool temperate climates, although total
aluminum concentrations in these soils are
relatively high.

Microbial formation of basic ferric sul-
fates in the laboratory and in soils. These
minerals, e.g. Fe3(S04)2(OH)6, ar; typically
found in acid sulfate soils and are produced
by microbial oxidation (by Thiobacillus
ferrooxidans) of ferrous iron containing
minerals, such as pyrite (FeS2). This reaction
also produces H2S04 which causes the
strongly acid and corrosive conditions. Acid
sulfate soils were identified and analyzed for
the occurrence and nature of basic ferric
sulfates. It was found that in coastal areas of
Eastern Canada potassium basic ferric sul-
fates were dominant in soils formed on tidal
marine sediments, whereas in inland areas of
Western Canada sodium basic ferric sulfates
were dominant in soils developed on marine
shales.

Characterization and quantification of
inorganic soil components. Poorly crystalline
components occur to some extent in all soils
and have a dominant influence on the behav-
ior of some soils. Research into the nature of
these components and their effect on proper-
ties of some British Columbia soils showed
that they contained imogolite, a fibrous
aluminosilicate, hitherto not identified in
Canadian soils. Although the chemical com-
position and micromorphology of these com-
ponents were different from volcanic ash
derived allophane, their effect on soil proper-
ties was similar. For example, soil surface

charge was strongly pH dependent and high
soil plasticity was lost during drying.

An exceptionally pure illite from Eldorado,
Sask., was mineralogically described in detail.
In many respects, the illite represents 1 nm
minerals, so-called clay micas, in soils and
sediments more closely than do muscovites
that have been used previously as standards in
X-ray procedures for the quantification of
minerals in soils and it could serve as standard
mineral for the analysis of clay micas in soils
and sediments.

Chemical and clay mineralogical proper-
ties of ortstein soils from the Maritime
Provinces. Minerals in soils of Nova Scotia
sites showed marked differences and weather-
ing rates between well and poorly drained
soils. Many of the B horizon clays appeared
amorphous to X-rays. However, treatment
with NaOH greatly increased diffraction
maxima. SEM demonstrated improved parti-
cle orientation.

Identification of members of the jarosite
group of minerals by application of Vegard's
Law to cell parameters. Certain X-ray dif-
fraction peaks were related to ionic radii,
which proved valuable where various jarosites
were formed in heterogeneous soil mineral
assemblages.

Methodology advances in soil mineral
analysis. Guinier X-ray diffraction and infra-
red analyses made possible more sensitive
identifications of lepidocrocite and feldspar
minerals in soils.

Mineralogical analysis service. This unit
provided X-ray diffraction analyses for 1300
samples by one-, two-, or three-dimensional
patterns of internal atomic structures. Sixty-
five DTA and TGA and 300 infrared analyses
were recorded. Computer programs were
developed for qualitative and quantitative
analyses.

Soil organic matter and organic soils

"Unknown" nitrogen in soils. Purines and
pyrimidines were found to account for up to
25% of the "unknown" nitrogen in a variety of
soils and humic materials. Biodégradation
experiments with soil microbes showed that
nucleic acid bases adsorbed on clays were
ready sources of available nitrogen, but when
the bases were adsorbed on iron and alumi-
num oxides, little nitrogen was released.

172

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Different forms of soil nitrogen. Improved
methods were developed for rapid measure-
ments of ammonia and nitrate levels in soils,
using specific-ion electrodes, and for determi-
nation of nitrogen isotope ratios by optical
emission spectroscopy. The electrode methods
were used to monitor ammonia and nitrate
levels in a field experiment. The distribution
of nitrogen in organic soils was determined,
and found to be unaffected by the level of
microbial and enzymic activity.

Carbohydrates in soils. A study was under-
taken on the organic matter and carbohydrate
distribution in an Orthic Humic Gleysol.
Gas-liquid chromatography was used for the
determination and quantification of the neu-
tral sugars and amino sugars in soil fractions
of different particle sizes, including the water-
soluble fraction and plant residues. The ratios
of neutral carbohydrates to organic matter as
well as the distribution of monomers varied
among individual fractions. A correlation was
found between the amino sugar and nitrogen
contents in each fraction, with the exception
of the water-soluble fraction and the clay
particles. Results of this study support the
view that polysaccharides in soils, with the
exception of the obvious plant remains, are of
microbial origin.

Chemistry of humic and fulvic acid. New
information was obtained on shapes, sizes,
and degrees of association and dissociation of
humic and fulvic acid particles under different
experimental conditions. Under conditions
similar to those prevailing in soils, humic
materials behaved like flexible, linear colloids.

To discover whether humic substances
could serve as indicators of soil and water
pollution, analytical characteristics were de-
termined of humic and fulvic acids extracted
from unpolluted and polluted soils and sedi-
ments. Unusually high contents of sulfur,
nitrogen, carboxylate groups, secondary
noncyclic amides, and of copper, chromium,
zinc, and mercury were found to be valid
indexes of environmental pollution.

Chemotaxonomy of organic soils. The
utility of monosaccharide analyses as chemo-
taxonomic aids for organic soils was demon-
strated further by the results obtained from
19 horizons in three Manitoba soil profiles.
The distribution of the monosaccharides was
found to be related to several characteristic
physical, chemical, and morphological proper-
ties. The Manitoba soils were different from

other soils examined thus far in that apprecia-
ble amounts of deoxy-sugars were found.

Pesticide studies. While the humus content
of four soils appeared to modify the effec-
tiveness of Dyfonate and Duradan, both
insecticides did not hamper soil microorga-
nisms in these soils.

Subsidence. The measurement of a single
enzyme (acid phosphatase) activity was found
to be a promising method for assessing the
potential biodegradability of virgin organic
soils. Earlier evidence that Cu (<100 kg/ha)
continuously inactivates certain degradative
enzymes in organic soils and thus mitigates
decomposition and subsidence of these soils
was corroborated by studies of as many as 15
such enzymes in >50 soils. Attempts at
testing the efficacy, safety, and economy of
applying Cu as a practical method for miti-
gating subsidence showed that Cu at even
>300 kg/ha enriched neither crops nor
groundwater adversely with Cu, nor did it
significantly curtail certain desirable and
mainly intracellular soil microbial processes.

SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXATION

Characterization of Rhizobium meliloti
strains

Antisera against 24 R. meliloti strains were
prepared and homologous titers were deter-
mined. Serological analysis through immu-
nodiffusion allowed the 24 strains to be
categorized in distinct groups. A collection of
15 different bacteriophages from local soils
was used to classify 72 strains of R. meliloti
into 30 distinct groups. A system of reference
profiles characterizing the natural resistance
of R. meliloti strains to 36 antibiotics was
developed and used to classify 40 strains into
major groups with subgroups. This method
complements the phage typing system. To-
gether, the three characterization criteria will
allow identification of the strains to be used in
competition experiments and to determine the
survival ability of improved inoculants under
various soil conditions.

Improvement of host and symbiont

Collaboration between plant physiologists
and microbiologists resulted in further re-
finement of screening systems for identifica-
tion of individual alfalfa plants having supe-
rior performance and nitrogenase activity in
combination with various Rhizobium isolates.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

173

Over 10 000 alfalfa plants were screened.
Clones of promising plants will be maintained
for use in an alfalfa breeding program. Local
Rhizobium isolates and strains from the
extensive world collection maintained in
CBR1 have been compared for effectiveness
on one cultivar. This work will continue and
include determination of plant yields under
standarized conditions. The whole question of
plant breeding criteria for optimal nitrogen
fixation has been identified as a problem area
requiring new approaches, and is of world-
wide concern which can only be resolved by
more experimental data.

Rhizobium genetics

Three mutagen-produced auxotrophic mu-
tants of R. meliloti were determined to be
stable though producing defective (nonnitro-
gen-reducing) nodules. Putative insertion
mutants of R. meliloti were produced with
phage ft utilizing E. coli as an intermediate
carrier. Of 50 conjugants tested, two pro-
duced defective nodules. The nature of these
mutants is being determined. Work on intro-
duction of genes coding for a soluble hydro-
genase (Hup) from Alcaligenes eutropus into
R. meliloti began with the isolation of a large
plasmid from A. eutropus. A. eutropus cells
from which the plasmid had been eliminated
failed to grow autotrophically indicating the
absence of the Hup gene for the uptake
hydrogenase. This project requires considera-
ble development, but has the potential of
increasing alfalfa yields through recycling of
H2 formed as a by-product of nitrogenase
function in nodules.

Optimization of plant growth on
symbiotically fixed nitrogen

Experimental determination of specific
growth rates of alfalfa demonstrated that the
early growth advantages of plants grown on
optimal levels of N03~ was altered after 24
days apparently due to switchover to NH4 +
utilization. Attempts to induce earlier transi-
tion to "symbiotic growth" have been success-
ful and could lead to cultural recommenda-
tions of agronomic importance. This work,
aimed ultimately at breeding alfalfa cultivars
better adapted to early growth on symbioti-
cally fixed nitrogen, represents a major thrust
of the program.

Cultural conditions permitting assessment
of the optimal concentrations of calcium ion

producing highest symbiotic nitrogenase spe-
cific activities were determined. The effect of
this cation on nodule number and weight and
symbiotic effectiveness are being evaluated.
Preliminary results indicate that higher levels
of calcium are required than previously
expected.

Energy utilization in symbiotic nitrogen
fixation

A method has been developed for compar-
ing photosynthetic ability of individual alfalfa
plants. Application of this method will com-
plement breeding experiments aimed at en-
hancing growth rates on symbiotically fixed
nitrogen. We are investigating the mechanism
by which the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP
is utilized in nitrogen fixation. Further infor-
mation on this complex process will help to
explain the large amounts of ATP required to
drive the nitrogenase system. At the same
time, the genetic engineering approaches are
aimed at increasing the available supply of
energy for nitrogen fixation through recycling
hydrogen gas or through more efficient cou-
pling of bacteroid respiration to ATP synthe-
sis. The overall nodular efficiency for energy
utilization in the nitrogen fixation process will
be proposed as a selection criterion for plant
breeding.

WINTERHARDINESS

Environmental studies

Studies on relation of environmental condi-
tions in fall and winter such as low tempera-
tures, ice encasement, and flooding to survival
of winter cereals have continued with empha-
sis on field monitoring of winter survival.
Sixty winter wheat and triticale lines from
Guelph, Harrow, and Ottawa were evaluated
in the field at Ottawa for winter survival
under natural and ice-encased conditions. Fall
emergence, survival in spring, and grain yield
were determined. Considerable separation of
entries useful for selection purposes occurred
in the stressed plots, whereas little or no
damage was sustained in the natural plots.
Fall emergence, spring survival, and grain
yields of eight cultivars at five sites on eastern
Ontario farms were also determined. Survival
was generally good, but at one site it was
reduced in the presence of an ice cover. Two
hundred and eighty-eight lines from a cross
between Fredrick winter wheat and a winter
triticale were acclimated and cold stressed

174

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

and the hardiest survivors propagated. Several
lines hardier than Fredrick emerged. A study
was made of the relationship between severity
of flooding and subsequent cold hardening
and icing tolerance. Short periods of flooding
(2 wk) decrease cold hardiness, but increase
resistance of wheat plants to ice encasement
injury. Flooding of barley, on the other hand,
decreases its resistance to injury by ice
encasement. Longer periods of flooding in-
crease susceptibility to ice. Preflooded plants
show higher levels of anaerobic respiration in
ice encasement than nonflooded plants.

Efforts to determine cellular sites of injury
in ice encasement by electron microscopic
(EM) examination of sections from cold-
hardened wheats show little of the character-
istic contraction of cells and formation of
endoplasmic reticulum membrane whorls
observed in whole plants encased in ice.
Studies on metabolic effects of ice encasement
and freezing suggest that these stresses pro-
mote the alternate cyanide insensitive electron
transport pathway in mitochondria of hardy
wheat plants.

Membrane properties in plant hardiness

Cooperative studies initiated with Drs. J.
Raison, T. McMurchie, and L. Wright,
CSIRO, Australia, suggest that the properties
of membrane-bound ATPases in wheat are
different from those in other plants, thereby
accounting for previously reported difficulties
in establishing reliable plasma membrane
markers in wheat. In spin-label investigations
using free protoplasts, concanavilin A con-
jugated to ferritin was tried as a plasma
membrane label to ascertain ultrastructural
damage incurred during freezing, but binding
was found to be too inconsistent for EM
detection. Similar attempts to label with
lanthanum ions to determine membrane in-
jury showed these ions to be deleterious.
Attempts at mass isolation, by use of en-
zymes, of single mesophyll cells from epicotyls
of cold-hardened winter cereals have proved
successful but thus far these cells have been
maintained viable for only 4 days. Attempts
at isolation of similar cells from unhardy
plants have failed.

Desiccation studies with winter rye
seedlings

Earlier studies on induction of cold hardi-
ness and drought resistance in winter rye

seedlings by desiccation stress at room tem-
perature in the dark have been extended by
the finding that the major part of the process
of induction is accomplished in the first days
of imposition of the desiccation stress. Thus, it
would appear that much of the chemical and
physiological process associated with cold
hardening and development of drought resist-
ance in these seedlings is completed soon after
exposure to the desiccation stress. While the
cold hardiness that is achieved under the
desiccation stresses is not as great as in
normal cold hardening of these seedlings, the
drought resistance that has been found to
develop is extreme so that water content of
the seedlings can be reduced to 4% and still
retain a capacity to recover completely on
subsequent addition of water. So little water is
retained in these seedlings after desiccation
that they can be cooled slowly to liquid
nitrogen temperatures without suffering in-
jury, thereby affording a possible alternative
to seeds as material for long-term cryopreser-
vation of germ plasm.

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
SERVICES

The Analytical Chemistry Services contin-
ued to provide Branch establishments with a
comprehensive service in analyzing materials
as part of research program. Two analytical
methods, concerning microdetermination of
total sulfur and inorganic sulfate in biological
material and the determination of molybde-
num in plant tissues and blood plasma, were
developed and used for analyzing samples. In
addition, two cooperative projects, concerning
amino acid and glycosaminoglycan composi-
tion of epiphyseal cartilage of neonate and
osteoporotic lamb, and the effect of man-
ganese-deficit feeding to ewes, were com-
pleted. The section also provided special
services and technical help in A^-nitrosamine
monitoring program; PCB analysis in chicken
and turkey; and amino acid analysis for
possible application of single column method-
ology developed for determining the myofi-
brillar, stroma, and nonmeat proteins in
extended meat products.

The four subunits of the Analytical Chem-
istry Services completed more than 88 000
analyses. The Amino Acid Laboratory carried
out 4103 protein hydrolysates and 340 physio-
logical fluid samples analyses. The Instrumen-
tation Centre used capillary column GC-MS

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

175

as a routine analytical technique for separa-
tion of some components in complex biolog-
ical samples. The Centre produced 1664
spectra consisting of 163 NMR, 185 IR, and
1316 mass spectra. The Microanalytical
Laboratory carried out 3475 organic elemen-
tal microanalyses. The Technical Service Unit
performed 78 287 analyses for a wide variety
of constituents. The Unit procured two new
computer Datacom 400 terminals which
improved the calculations, compilation, and
storing of analytical data. The glassblowing
service unit processed more than 130 orders
for various Branch establishments.

From the standpoint of effectiveness, effi-
ciency, and economy, the Analytical Chemis-
try Services proved to be extremely beneficial
in the Research Branch. This is evidenced by
the fact that excess of benefits over the cost of
analyzing these samples was about
$1 200 000 (based on 1978-1979 rates).

A "Bulletin" describing details of Analyti-
cal Chemistry Services in the Institute was
published and copies sent to scientists across
the country.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPE CENTRE

Sixty-seven professional and technical staff
of eight Central Region institutes, five re-
search stations, three universities, and six

outside agencies made use of the personnel
and facilities of the Centre. The Postal
Service aided investigations on the effects of
herbicides on apple roots (St-Jean), "gray
tobacco" (L'Assomption), and virus infections
of plants (Harrow).

The Centre contributed to research publi-
cations in a number of diverse agricultural
disciplines, including biosystematics, micro-
biology, plant pathology, and plant, animal,
soil, and food science. Particulars of these
publications appear under the listings of the
institutes and stations in this Report.

The developmental research within the
Centre on the freeze-fracture, thaw fix tech-
nique was extended to a study of the nucleoid
of Escherichia coli. Conditions were estab-
lished to control the unfolding of the nuclear
complex in this organism following fracture.
Optimum freeze-fracture conditions and the
use of various cryoprotectants were investi-
gated for tissue slices of Vicia f aba roots and
alfalfa nodules. Reliable methods were devel-
oped for replicating fracture faces for high
resolution studies.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Andrews, C. J.; Pomeroy, M. K. 1979. Toxicity of
anaerobic metabolites accumulating in winter
wheat seedlings during ice encasement. Plant
Physiol. 64:120-125.

Barran, L. R.; de la Roche, I. A. 1979. The effect of
temperature on the phospholipid composition
of mid-log hyphal cells of Fusarium oxyspo-
rum f. sp. lycopersici. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc.
73:166-168.

Barran, L. R.; Schneider, E. F. 1979. Effects of
thiols on macroconidia of Fusarium
sulphureum. Can. J. Microbiol. 25:618-627.

Behki, R. M.; Lesley, S. M. 1979. Thymidine
incorporation into Rhizobium meliloii. Can. J.
Microbiol. 25:675-679.

Bowman, W. S.; Faye, G. H.; Sutarno, R.;
McKeague, J. A.; Kodama, H. 1979. New
CCRMP reference soils SO-1 to SO-4. Geos-
tandards Newsl. 3:109-113.

Buchanan, J. M.; Lukens, L. M.; Miller, R. W.

1978. Ar-(5-Amino-l-ribosyl-4-imidazolylcar-
bonyl)-L-aspartic acid 51 phosphate synthetase.
Pages 186-193 in P. A. Hoffee and M. E.
Jones, eds. Methods in enzymology, Vol. LI.
Academic Press, New York.

Chiykowski, L. N. 1979. Athysanus argentarius, an
introduced European leafhopper, as a vector of
aster yellows in North America. Can. J. Plant
Pathol. 1:37-41.

Cochrane, W. P.; Lanouette, M.; Greenhalgh, R.

1979. Quantitation of contaminants in techni-
cal fenitrothion using reverse-phase HPLC. J.
Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 62:1222-1230.

Cortez, J.; Schnitzer, M. 1979. Nucleic acid bases
in soils and their association with organic and
inorganic soil constituents. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:277-286.

Cortez, J.; Schnitzer, M. 1979. Purines and pyrimi-
dines in soils and humic substances. Soil Sci.
Soc. Am. J. 43:958-961.

176

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Haggis, G. H.; Bond, E. F. 1979. Three-dimen-
sional view of the chromatin in freeze-frac-
turcd chicken erythrocyte nuclei. J. Microsc.

115:225-234.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Khan, S. U.;
Siddiqui, I. R. 1979. Effects of Mn-deficit
feeding to ewes on certain amino acids and
sugars in cartilage of their newborn lambs.
Am. J. Vet. Res. 46:1375-1377.

Hidiroglou, M.; Williams, C. J.; Khan, S. U.;
Siddiqui, I. R. 1979. Amino acid and glyco-
saminoglycan composition of epiphyseal carti-
lage of neonate and osteoporotic lamb. Int. J.
Vitam. Nutr. Res. 49:359-363.

Huner, N. P. A.; Macdowall, F. D. H. 1979.
Change in the net charge and subunit proper-
ties of ribulose biphosphate carboxylase-ox-
ygenase during cold hardening of Puma rye.
Can. J. Biochem. 57:155-164.

Huner, N. P. A.; Macdowall, F. D. H. 1979. The
effects of low temperature acclimation of
winter rye or catalytic properties of its ribulose
biphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase. Can. J.
Biochem. 57:1036-1041.

Ihnat, M.; Nelson, D. L. 1979. Cyanide residue
levels in extracted honey, comb honey and wax
cappings. J. Environ. Sci. Health B 14:39-51.

Ivan, M.; Ihnat, M.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979. Effects
of nitrilotriacetic acid on apparent absorption
and duodenal flow of Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu in
sheep. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:273-281.

Ivarson, K. C; Ross, G. J.; Miles, N. M. 1979. The
microbial formation of basic ferric sulfates. 2.
Crystallization in the presence of potassium,
ammonium and sodium salts. Soil Sci. Soc.
Am. J. 43:908-912.

Ivarson, K. C; Schnitzer, M. 1979. The biodegrad-
ability of the "unknown"1 soil nitrogen. Can. J.
Soil Sci. 59:59-67.

Kerndorff, H.; Schnitzer, M. 1979. Humic and
fulvic acids as indicators of soil and water
pollution. Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 12:319-329.

Khan, S. U.; Cloutier, R. D.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979.
Determination of molybdenum in plant tissue
and blood plasma by atomic absorption spec-
troscopy. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 62:1062-
1064.

Khan, S. U.; Marriage, P. B. 1979. Uptake of
glyphosatc and N-nitrosoglyphosate from soil
by oat plants. J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:1398-
1400.

Khan, S. U.; Morris, G. F.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979.
Microdetermination of total sulfur and inorga-
nic sulfate in biological materials. Microchem.
J. 24:291-297.

Kodama, H. 1978. Clay minerals in Canadian
soils — their origin, distribution and alteration.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:37-58.

Lévesque, M.; Mathur, S. P. 1979. A comparison of
various means of measuring the degree of
decomposition of virgin peat materials in the
context of their relative biodegradability. Can.
J. Soil Sci. 59:397-400.

Mathur, S. P.; Hamilton, H. A.; Lévesque, M.
1979. The mitigating effect of residual fertil-
izer copper on the decomposition of an organic
soil in situ. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42:200-203.

Mathur, S. P.; Lévesque, M.; Desjardins, J. G.
1979. The relative immobility of fertilizer and
native copper in an organic soil under field
conditions. Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 11:207-

215.

Mathur, S. P.; Hamilton, H. A.; Preston, C. M.
1979. The influence of variation in copper
content of an organic soil on the mineral
nutrition of oats grown in situ. Commun. Soil
Sci. Plant Anal. 10:1399-1409.

Miles N. M.; Wang, C; McKeague, J. A. 1979.
Chemical and clay mineralogical properties of
ortstein soils from the Maritime Provinces.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:287-299.

Miller, R. W. 1978. Dihydro orotate dehydrogenase
(Neurospora). Pages 63-68 in P. A. Hoffe and
M. E. Jones, eds. Methods in enzymology, Vol.
LI. Academic Press, New York.

Paliwal, Y. C. 1979. Serological relationships of
barley yellow dwarf virus isolates. Phytopathol.
Z. 94:8-15.

Paliwal, Y. C. 1979. Occurrence and localization of
spherical virus-like particles in tissues of ap-
parently healthy tobacco thrips, Frankliniella
fusca, a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus. J.
Invertebr. Pathol. 33:307-315.

Paliwal, Y. C; Andrews, C. J. 1979. Effects of
barley yellow dwarf and wheat spindle streak
mosaic viruses on cold hardiness of cereals.
Can. J. Plant Pathol. 1:71-75.

Pomeroy, M. K.; Andrews, C. J. 1979. Ultrastruc-
ture and enzymatic studies of cell membranes
from ice encased and non-iced winter wheat
seedlings. Plant Physiol. 64:695-701.

Pomeroy, M. K.; Andrews, C. J. 1979. Metabolic
and ultrastructural changes associated with
flooding at two temperatures in winter wheat
and barley. Plant Physiol. 64:635-639.

Ross, G. J.; Kodama, H. 1979. Evidence for
imogolite in Canadian soils. Clays and Clay
Minerals 27:297-300.

Ross, G. J.; Miles, N. M.; Kodama, H. 1979.
Occurrence and determination of lepidocrocite
in Canadian soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:155-162.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Schneider, E. F.; Wardrop, A. C. 1979. Ultrastruc-
tural studies on the cell walls in Fusarium
sulphureum. Can. J. Microbiol. 25:75-85.

Schnit/er. M. 1979. Effect of low pH on the
chemical structure and reactions of humic
substances. Pages 203-222 in T. C. Hutchinson
and M. Havas, eds. Effects of acid precipita-
tion on terrestrial ecosystems. Plenum Press,
New York.

Schnitzer, M. 1979. The chemistry and reactions of
humic substances. Pages 807-819 in M. K.
Wali, ed. Ecology and coal resource develop-
ment. Vol. 2. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

Schnitzer, M.; Lévesque, M. 1979. A novel ap-
proach to assessing the degree of humification
of peats. Soil Sci. 127:140-145.

Siminovitch, D. 1979. Protoplasts surviving freez-
ing to -196°C and osmotic dehydration in 5
molar salt solutions prepared from the bark of
winter black locust trees. Plant Physiol.
63:722-725.

Singh, J. 1979. Ultrastructural alterations in cells
of hardened and non-hardened winter rye
during hyperosmotic and extracellular freezing
stresses. Protoplasma 98:329-341.

Singh, J. 1979. Freezing of protoplasts isolated
from cold hardened and non-hardened winter
rye. Plant Sci. Lett. 16:195-201.

Singh, S. S. 1979. Sorption and release of cadmium
in some Canadian soils. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:119-130.

Sinha, R. C. 1979. Lipid composition of my-
coplasma-like organisms purified from clover
phyllody and aster yellows-affected plants.
Phytopathol.Z. 96:132-139.

Sinha, R. C. 1979. Chemotheraphy of mycoplasmal
plant diseases. Pages 310-335 in R. F.
Whitcomb and J. G. Tully, eds. The mycoplas-
mas. Vol. 3. Academic Press Inc., New York.

Sinha, R. C. 1979. Purification and serology of
mycoplasma-like organisms from aster yel-
lows-infected plants. Can. J. Plant Pathol.
1:65-70.

Stevenson, I. L. 1979. The effect of L-a-amino-
«-butyric acid on growth and production of
extracellular isoleucine and valine by Eubacte-
rium ruminanticum and a related rumen
isolate. Can. J. Microbiol. 25:1394-1400.

Stevenson, I. L.; Becker, S. A. W. E. 1979. The fine
structure of mature and germinating chlamy-
dospores of Fusarium oxysporum. Can. J.
Microbiol. 25:808-817.

Thornely, R. N. F.; Lowe, D. J.; Eady, R. R.;
Miller, R. W. 1979. The coupling of electron
transfer in nitrogenase to the hydrolysis of
magnesium adenosine triphosphate. Biochem.
Soc. Trans. 7:633-636.

Wilson, A. C; Miller, R. W. 1979. Growth temper-
ature-dependent stearoyl-CoA desaturase ac-
tivity of Fusarium oxysporum microsomes.
Can. J. Biochem. 56:1109-1114.

Young, J. C. 1979. Ergot contamination of feed-
stuffs. Feedstuffs 51:23-33.

Miscellaneous

Andrews, C. J.; Pomeroy, M. K. 1979. Over-
wintering damage to wheat. Wheat Newsl.
25:47-48.

Andrews, C. J.; Pomeroy, M. K. 1979. Effects of
flooding on cold hardiness of cereals. Plant
Physiol. S63:88 (Abstract).

Bailey, S. W.; Brindley, G. W.; Kodama, H.;
Martin, R. T. 1979. Report of the clay miner-
als society nomenclative committee for 1977
and 1978. Clays and Clay Minerals 27:238-
239.

Bowman, W. S.; Faye, G.H.; Sutarno, R.;
McKeague, J. A.; Kodama, H. 1979. Soil
samples S0-2, S0-2, S0-3 and SO-4. Certified
reference materials. Energy, Mines and Re-
sources Canada, CAN MET Report 79-3. 32
pp.

Finlayson, D. G.; Graham, J. R.; Greenhalgh, R.
Roberts, J. R.; Smith, E. A. H.; Whitehead, P.
Willes, R. F.; Williams, J. 1979. Carbofuran
criteria for interpreting the effects of its use on
environmental quality. NRCC 16740. Sub-
committee on pesticides and related com-
pounds, NRC, Ottawa, Canada.

Ghosh, K.; Schnitzer, M. 1979. Recent observations
on the macromolecular behaviour of humic
substances. Agron. Abstr. p. 157.

Huner, N. P. A.; Miller, R. W. 1979. Spin labelling
RUBP carboxylase from cold hardened and
unhardened rye. Plant Physiol. 63:109
(Abstract).

Ihnat, M. 1979. Data validity in analytical chemis-
try. Pages 95-105 in D. S. Wilt, ed. Proceed-
ings 10th national shellfish sanitation work-
shop, 1977, Hunt Valley, MD. USDHEW.,
Shellfish Sanitation Branch. Publication No.
(FDS) 78-2098.

Ihnat, M.; Westerby, R. J.; Rains, T. C. 1979.
Determination of silicon in blood by light
absorption and atomic absorption spectrome-
try. 6th Annu. Meet. Federation of Analytical
Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies, Phila-
delphia, PA. Abstr. No. 303.

178

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Khan, S. U.; Hamilton, H. A. 1979. Studies on the
extractable and nonextractable (bound) resi-
dues of prometryn in an organic soil. 178th
Am. Chem. Soc. Nat. Meet. Washington, D.C.
Abstr. No. 65.

Madhosingh, C; Orr, W. 1979. Properties of sterol
ester hydrolase from Fusarium oxysporum.
Abstr. XI Int. Congr. Biochem. p. 271.

Madhosingh, C; Orr, W. 1979. Control of Fusar-
ium culmorum spore germination, growth, and
wheat seed infestation. Abstr. IX Int. Congr.
Plant Prot. p. 500.

Mathur, S. P.; Sanderson, R. B. 1979. An en-
zymatic study on the possible use of copper for
slowing down the decomposition and subsid-
ence of Histosols (organic soils). Agron. Abstr.
p. 161.

Miller, R. W. 1979. Homeostatic control of mem-
brane and lipid properties in Fusarium. Pro-
ceedings of satellite symposium, Xlth Int.
Congr. Biochem. p. 1 1 (Abstract).

Pomeroy, M. K.; Andrews, C. J. 1979. Overwinter-
ing injury to winter cereals in eastern Canada.
Can. Agric. 24:3-4.

Preston, C. M.; Valk, M.; Mathur, S. P.; Campbell,
J. A.; Knibbe, E. N. 1979. Copper application
trials. Ont. Veg. Res. Comm. Annu. Rep. 8:80.

Pringle, R. B. 1979. Role of toxins in etiology of
spot-blotch disease of barley. Can. Plant Dis.
Surv. 59:74-79.

Ross, G. J.; Ivarson, K. C; Miles, N. M. 1979.
Microbial formation of basic ferric sulfates in
the laboratory in the presence and absence of
feldspars, micas and montmorillonites. Agron.
Abstr. p. 230.

Schneider, E. F.; Barran, L. R. 1979. The effects of
thiol reagents on the toxicity of benomyl to
differentiating conidial cells of Fusarium
sulphureum. Abstr. Can. Phytopathol. Soc. p.
50.

Schneider, E. F.; Seaman, W. L. 1979. Microfibril-
lar structure in cell walls of developing conidia
of Fusarium sulphureum. Abstr. Can. Phyto-
pathol. Soc. pp. 46-47.

Schnitzer, M. 1978. Some observations on the
synthesis of humic substances. Laboratorio per
la Chimica del Terreno, Pisa, Italy. 1 1 pp.

Schnitzer, M. 1978. Mineral-organic interactions
in soils. Laboratorio per la Chimica del Ter-
reno, Pisa, Italy. 13 pp.

Schnitzer, M. 1979. Reactions of humic substances
with metals and minerals in soils. Int. Colloq.
"Migrations organominérales dans les sols
tempérés", Nancy, France, p. 49 (Abstract).

Schnitzer, M.; Cortez, J. 1979. Purines and pyrimi-
dines in soils. Can. Soc. Soil Sci. Fredericton,
N.B. p. 9 (Abstract).

Siminovitch, D. 1979. Freezing injury and resist-
ance in plants — a perspective. Agron. Abstr. p.
94.

Siminovitch, D.; Rheaume, B. 1979. Survival ca-
pacity of winter rye seedlings in the desiccated
or frozen-desiccated state. 16th Annu. Meet.
Soc. Cryobiol. p. 27 (Abstract).

Singh, J.; de la Roche, I. A. 1979. Development of
freezing tolerance in cereals without changes
in lipid unsaturation. Agron. Abstr. p. 94.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

179

Engineering and Statistical Research

Institute

Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

P. W. Voisey, F.I., Mech.E
K. B. Mitchell

Director
Administration

Mechanization and Systems

M. Feldman, BE., M.Sc.
K. W. Lievers, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
W. S. Reid, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
P. Van Die, B.Sc. (Eng.), M.Sc.

Head of Section; Mechanization
Systems analysis
Mechanization
Energy

Research Service

E. J. Brach, D.E.E., Dip. Mil. Electronics
D. J. Buckley, B.E., M.Sc.
G. E. Timbers, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
R. D. Hayes, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Head of Section; Electronics
Electronics

Food-process engineering
Food-process engineering

Statistical Research

G. P. Poushinsky, B.Sc, M.Sc
M. R. Binns, M.A., Dip.Stat.
P. Y. Jul, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
L. P. Lefkovitch, B.Sc.
C. S. Lin, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
P. M. Morse, M.A.

B. K. Thompson, B.Sc, M.Math., Ph.D.

C. J. Williams, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. S. Wolynetz, B.Math., M.Math., Ph.D.

D. K. Hodgins, B.Sc
J. D. Hobbs, B.Sc.

S. A. Kinsey, B.Math.
J. Wu, B.Sc.

Head of Section; Statistics

Statistics

Head, Systems and programming

Systems and programming

engineering and statistical research institute

181

T. M. Vanasse

Head, Computing services

Structures and Environment

J. A. Munroe, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. A. Jackson, B.Sc. (Eng.), M.Sc.
P. A. Phillips, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc.
J. E. Turnbull, B.S.A., M. S. A.

Head of Section; Livestock housing
Storages

Waste management
Director, Canada Plan Service;
Farm structures

Technical and Scientific Information

G. F. Montgomery, B.Sc. (Agr.)

Head of Section

Technical Services

J. G. Caron

Head of Section

Departures

F. R. Hore, B.S.A., M.S.

Retired December 1979
K. R. Price, B.Sc, M.Math.

Resigned October 1979
L. M. A. Francis, B.A.

Resigned June 1979
D. G. Bishop, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Resigned December 1979

Head of Section; Water resources

Statistics

Systems and programming

Systems analysis

VISITING SCIENTIST

G. Samaan, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Fellow

Food-process engineering

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

In April 1979 the Ottawa Services Section, which provided technical services for scientific
equipment on the Central Experimental Farm campus, was amalgamated with the Institute.
This brought together all the operation resources needed for the development, construction,
and servicing of scientific equipment. During the year the various workshops were combined
into consolidated units to make the most effective use of facilities and personnel. The Institute
focuses on five major activities:

• Energy in the food and agricultural system — To develop and apply existing and new
technology to contribute to the National Energy Strategy for Canada's energy self-reliance
through conservation of energy and the use of alternative energy sources (wind, solar,
biomass) to reduce the dependence of the agricultural and food system on fossil fuels on an
economic basis.

• Engineering and statistical research and development (R & D) support — In support of
and in collaboration with all commodity goals, to support the Branch and Departmental
research and development program through services in statistical design, analysis, and
interpretation; and in engineering technology for new instruments, apparatus, and equipment
to improve the efficiency and accuracy of research and assist in new areas of research. To
modify equipment essential to research operations and to provide a maintenance and repair
service for scientific equipment.

• Machinery and structures technology — To support Branch and Departmental programs
on farm machinery and structures by the provision, development, and assessment of new and
existing technology. To promote engineering R & D in industry through a contracting out
program and to develop national farm building standards through the Canada Plan Service.

• Food-process engineering — In collaboration with and support of several Branch
establishments, to develop improved technology or equipment for the processing of selected
plant and animal products and establish the physical characteristics of these materials that
govern processing.

• Technical and scientific information — On a continuing basis to maintain a national
information resource on agricultural engineering and disseminate information from this
source and from the Institute's R&D results.

Contracting out of R & D is now a major effort which supplements the "in house"
resources applied to energy and to machinery and structures technology.

Emphasis is at present being placed on coordinating computer software in order to make
statistical programs available to the Department via the new computing network AgNet.

The results of the diverse program are indicated in the report. Further information is
available upon request from the Engineering and Statistical Research Institute, Research
Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A 0C6.

Peter W. Voisey
Director

MECHANIZATION AND SYSTEMS

Equipment and systems analysis

Field machines were designed for various
needs, usually in cooperation with research
stations. The principles utilized in the design
of a bed seeder for baby carrots were ex-
tended to develop a machine for various
vegetables, which is now commercially avail-
able. A leaf-removing device for a broccoli
harvester was successfully developed. A stalk

cutter for Burley tobacco is now being manu-
factured; the device shows considerable ad-
vantage over hand cutting. The row-crop
injector shank also successfully injected ma-
nure into sod. Modifications were made to the
peatland tractor, and testing resumed in
Newfoundland, demonstrating a standard for
prime movers in peatland production systems.

Assessments and analyses of some existing
mechanization were made. A precision vege-
table planter was evaluated for planting
lettuce, cabbage, and onions. Two hay towers

ENGINEERING AND STATISTICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

183

brought into use at the Melfort Research
Station are now part of their routine opera-
tion. An Australian-designed grain cleaner,
utilizing an eccentric drive principle, was
constructed; preliminary tests showed possible
high throughputs, but problems were demon-
strated with some types of grain. Design plans
adapting a seeder previously developed for
horticultural crops to seed forage plots were
supplied to a manufacturer, and two proto-
types were built and sold. Spin-off applica-
tions to tree nurseries are possible.

The systems analysis work was highlighted
by a successful workshop with 55 participants,
after which a proceedings was published. A
catalog of agricultural engineering computer
programs was assembled and distributed.
Computer models were set up and tested to
simulate crop growth, beef animal growth,
field drying of crops, and dryland grain
production. A software package was devel-
oped to present data in three-dimension
format.

Contract research and development

Management of the agricultural engineer-
ing research and development (AERD) con-
tracting-out program for the Branch contin-
ued. Summaries of the results of 30 completed
projects were published. Most proposals pre-
viously rated acceptable were implemented,
and 160 new proposals for 1980-1981 were
reviewed. In addition, 32 unsolicited proposals
were evaluated and 10 accepted for imple-
mentation. In mechanization and buildings,
21 contracts were completed, 6 are continu-
ing, and 29 new projects were implemented.
In energy, 10 contracts were completed, 8
projects are continuing, and 20 new ones were
started.

Work accomplished under the contracts is
reported individually by the Branch establish-
ments assigned the scientific responsibility for
each project.

The Mechanization and Systems Section
supervised six energy contracts and eight
mechanization contracts. A review of the
potential for using wind energy for agriculture
was completed, identifying wind regimes,
possible agricultural applications, and suit-
able economic thresholds, along with recom-
mendations for further work. The Martin
track was developed to provide suitable
flotation for combines working in wet soil
conditions. An improved soil leveler was built,
production drawings were prepared, and a

publication for farmers was prepared by the
Quebec Ministry of Agriculture. A bale
wagon and elevator system to handle ran-
domly placed bales was developed, providing
complete mechanization of a bale-thrower-
based system. Evaluation of a tomato harve-
ster, developed under a previous contract,
contributed to the sale of 12 machines, with
30 to be manufactured for next season. A
spinach harvester was developed, and three
units were sold for delivery in 1980. Silage
distributor problems were investigated and
documented. In one case, the silage blower
did not purge toxic gases, contrary to existing
recommended practice, and a warning letter
was issued. A rotary bean puller investigated
under a previous contract is now being
manufactured and gives improved perform-
ance. A concept has been developed for a
round bale processor to improve hay feeding
systems and prototypes are being tested.

RESEARCH SERVICE

Mechanical and plot equipment

Equipment developed to mechanize field
experiments included: equipment to measure
root and stalk strength of corn for breeding
selections; a string seed spacer for precisely
spaced planting of cereal breeding crops; a
prototype nursery shrub lifter; metricated hog
back fat measuring scales; modified oat
dehulling machine to separate oats from hulls
and debris; a skeletal measuring device for
meat birds; a portable rain simulator for
herbicide leaching and degrading; a metri-
cated egg air cell gauge for studies of egg
storage quality; and an improved lamina
punch to take tobacco leaf samples.

Electronic instrumentation and data
acquisition

Electronic instruments developed to in-
crease research in a variety of disciplines
included: a prototype automatically controlled
sheep digesta sampler, to improve the effi-
ciency of trace mineral analysis in animal
nutrient studies; a multisample rapeseed
counter, modified to improve performance; an
electronic muscle stimulator system, for in-
ducing green muscle disease in turkeys; a
prototype automatic feeding and weighing
system, to determine feed conversion effi-
ciency of individual animals; an adaptor for
interfacing specialized equipment to a data
processing network; and a potential wide-area

184

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

pest-warning system, using appropriately
located commercial data acquisition equip-
ment.

By contract, software for a HP 3052 data
acquisition system was developed to interface
with any PDP-11 computer. A prototype
automatic feeding and weighing system for
livestock was also completed by contract.

Electrooptical instrumentation and field
spectroscopy

Electrooptical instruments and experiments
developed to measure spectral behavior of
grain and horticultural crops and C02 re-
lease-uptake by plants included: lettuce
maturity detection, which indicates that in the
1100-1200 nm spectral band the growth or
maturity of the lettuce can be followed for the
planning and marketing of lettuce; a biolumi-
nescence spectrometer was modified to relate
luminescence of any crop of its nutrient
deficiency; a holographic technique developed
to test young cereal crops demonstrated that
it can be used to shorten the time to breed a
specific variety; an oat fluorospectrometer
which identifies six oat varieties was com-
pleted; an open path C02 analyzer was
developed for airborne applications; the pro-
ject on detection of oil, moisture, and protein
in grain was terminated as the technology
developed has been incorporated in commer-
cial equipment.

Food processing, quality, and energy

Food-processing and quality equipment
development included: a tomato pulper to
improve sample preparation for varietal re-
search; a technique, for which trials were
completed with NRC, for extraction of al-
bumin and globulin using reverse osmosis;
color grading of white beans with commercial
colorimeters to measure differences in bean
color; a technique reducing the energy needed
for pasta drying by about 30%, using cyclical
drying; using an electronic recording grinder
for wheat which measures energy used in
grinding to show that the speed reduction of
the grinding head relates to grain hardness; a
method to measure tomato juice viscosity to
select varieties for juice production; an at-
tachment to the Ottawa texture measuring
system, for measuring texture of food in
plastic tubes; and instrumentation to monitor
the energy needed to pump liquid manure to
remote lagoons.

A pilot plant study on anaerobic digestion
of hog manure for energy production was
completed, where methane for energy and
microorganisms for feed protein supplements
were recovered. A review of alcohol fuels from
agricultural products was completed, where
all aspects of alcohol production on farm
scales are discussed.

Contract studies in the biomass energy area
were completed, including the pyrolysis of
agricultural biomass for farm operations. The
study evaluated some of the parameters of
temperature, residence time, and feedstock on
the production of gases, liqudis, and solids
from the process.

STATISTICAL RESEARCH

Programming and data processing

The major project has been preparation of
statistical software for the new computer
network, AgNet. This has involved a survey of
Research Branch requirements and the modi-
fication of existing library programs to begin
to meet existing needs. Between 60 and 80%
of the Branch's statistical software needs will
be covered by the programs that will be
available when AgNet starts up.

The library maintenance and enhancement
functions, data analysis, and computer con-
sulting services have continued. Reports for
such projects as Ontario regional potato trials,
bertha armyworm oviposition studies, and the
Fredericton potato field book were prepared.

Natural resources

A model to predict Canadian or world
cereal production was developed for the
Wheat Board. A major contribution was
made to a soil classification and genesis
project; the results disseminate information
on background levels of many elements in
soils throughout Canada and provide a bench-
mark for assessing the magnitude of soil
contamination and for evaluating the effec-
tiveness of countermeasures to pollution.

Production development (animals)

Although magnesium-supplemented diets
proved ineffective in treating hypomagnesia, a
number of questions were raised about the
diagnosis of this condition. A sampling proce-
dure was devised to compare various methods
of diagnosing paratuberculosis in cattle, and
presently used methods were studied.

ENGINEERING AND STATISTICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

185

Experiments were designed to study fat
synthesis and deposition in piglets. A survey
of swine influenza established that there are
high incidences of several strains in Canada,
and modifications to current testing proce-
dures were proposed to overcome their defi-
ciencies in detecting antibodies to the strains
now most prevalent in Canada. Information
has been obtained about salt requirements of
gilts during and shortly after pregnancy.

Several studies of eggshell quality and
strength were designed and analyzed; they
indicate that shell strength is affected by
temperature and other environmental condi-
tions. A chick assay for lysine in wheat has
been developed.

The data from several experiments con-
cerning artificial insemination of sheep indi-
cate that reproductive performance is worse
using frozen semen than it is with fresh
semen, that the application of estradiol- 17/5
is detrimental to reproductive performance,
and that an 8 mo breeding cycle is feasible.
Cement kiln dust supplements were shown not
to improve lamb weight gains. The quantita-
tive assessment of cross-reaction of virus
strains in immunology was studied, and a
method was provided to overcome a pre-
viously unsolved problem.

Production development (crops)

Optimal tobacco plot size (minimum area
with acceptable precision) was investigated,
and recommendations were made.

Work in potatoes led to use of a new design
for large numbers of test lines. A method of
estimating optimal seeding rate for wheat was
proposed. The barley register was maintained
and updated.

An analysis of studies relating incidence of
lesions in rats to dietary fatty acid levels was
performed.

Production support

Statistical support was provided in: bioas-
says of herbicides in different soils; studies of
synergism; joint action of fumigants; and
influences of sex and body weight on potency
of grasshopper insecticides. Sequential trials
and other design modifications were intro-
duced to improve the power of experiments
studying insect aggregation. A report was
prepared recommending the rejection of a

method proposed to detect arsenic and sele-
nium in foodstuffs. Investigation of reflec-
tance characteristics of maturing lettuce led
to a predictive model.

STRUCTURES AND
ENVIRONMENT

Canada Plan Service (CPS)

The CPS Design Center, cooperating with
Information Services of Agriculture Canada
and the 10 provincial departments of agricul-
ture, prepared and distributed 18 complete
building plan sets along with 42 leaflets.
Metrication of plans has progressed to the
60% level. Production of plans in imperial
units has terminated. A major change has
been a move toward component system design
in lieu of numerous complete building plan
sets, which will provide the provincial exten-
sion engineers and farmers with more flexible
and useful information.

Research and development

A field plot study to determine the effects of
rate and time of manure application on corn
yields and on nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium losses in subsurface and surface
runoff showed no improvement in corn yields
with N above 224 kg/ha per year and exces-
sive nutrient concentrations from winter-
applied manure at all rates used.

An experimental tower silo foundation was
evaluated by measuring settlements, frost
heave, and footing ring distortion. The data
for 2 yr were presented in a technical report;
results showed that the silo moved 175 mm
out-of-plumb during frost heave but resettled
to 50 mm out-of-plumb.

Four different truss joint connection ar-
rangements were load tested; one of these
connection techniques reduces the number of
nails required to assemble roof trusses by one-
half.

Contracted-out research and development

Staff were scientific authorities on 21
contracts dealing with solar applications, solar
greenhouses, and conservation of energy in
farm buildings, greenhouses, and crop drying.
An in-wall system for short-term storage of
solar heat shows good economic promise.
Tests of one proposed collapsible blanket
system for greenhouse heat conservation
proved impractical.

186

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

A cement sandwich wall panel, developed
and tested in one contract, was used to
construct a barn, with favorable results.

Engineering and drafting

Thorough structural reviews of 35 sets of
building plans were carried out for the
Department's fresh fruit and vegetable stor-
age assistance program. In cooperation with
Animal Research Institute, Public Works
Canada, and consultants, planning was com-
pleted for a dairy feedlot for summer research
operations at the Animal Research Institute
site on the Greenbelt Farm. An action pro-
gram was initiated by establishing an ad hoc
committee to obtain a better knowledge of on-
farm hazardous gases as related to human
safety, and to develop gas detection and
ventilation equipment for safe operation of
tower silos and liquid manure tanks.

TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC
INFORMATION

The Section continues to provide informa-
tion to agricultural engineers, both by re-
sponding to specific inquiries and by publiciz-
ing projects being conducted by the Institute
and publications resulting from past work.
The Section's information collection continues
to be updated, with increased emphasis on
matters related to energy. A computerized
information data base is employed as an aid in
retrieving information and for preparation of
custom bibliographies in response to requests
for information. Over 2200 new references
were added to the system. An investigation of
methods for preparing manuscripts and other
documents in the Institute was initiated,
which resulted in the acquisition of a word-
processing system to increase efficiency. In-
volvement in the metrication program of the
construction and agricultural equipment sec-
tor resulted in development of nominal metric
bulk densities of common seeds and a metric
practice guide.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Brach, E. J.; Mack, A. R.; Rao, V. R. 1979.
Normalization of radiance data for studying
crop over time with a mobile field spectro-
radiometer. Can. J. Remote Sensing 5(1):33-
42.

Buckley, D. J. 1979. A precision, multi-threshold,
multi-readout temperature integrator. J.
Agric. Meteorol. 20:1-6.

Buckley, D. J.; Frazer, B. D.; St. Amour, G. T.
1979. An inexpensive, portable, printing event
recorder for behavior studies. Behav. Res.
Instrum. 1 1 (6):56 1 -563.

Friend, D. W.; Larmond, E.; Wolynetz, M. S.;
Price, K. R. 1979. Piglet and pork production
from gilts bred at puberty: with chemical
composition of the carcass and assessment of
meat quality. J. Anim. Sci. 49(2):330-341.

Hunsaker, W. G.; Wolynetz, M. S. 1979. Vaginal
temperature and eating, drinking, standing and
walking activity rhythms of four anestrous
Finnish-Landrace ewes. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:11-23.

Ivan, M.; Jui, P. Y.; Hidiroglou, M. 1979. The
effects of nitrilotriacetic acid on solubilities of
zinc, copper, manganese and iron in the stom-
ach of sheep. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol.
57(4):369-374.

Jackson, H. A.; Turnbull, J. E. 1979. Gambrel roof
arches for farm and storage buildings. Can.
Agric. Eng. 21(1):47-51.

ENGINEERING AND STATISTICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

187

Klyne, M. A.; Phan, C. T.; Brach, E. J.; Jasmin, J.
J. 1979. Studies on the detection of lettuce
maturity: anatomical observations and reflec-
tance measurements in the visible range (350-
650 nm). Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1067-1075.

Kramer, J. K. G.; Hulan, H. W.; Corner, A. H.;
Thompson, B. K.; Holfeld, N. 1979. Cardio-
pathogenicity of soybean oil and Tower rape-
seed oil triglycerides when fed to male rats. J.
Lipids 14(9):773-780.

Larkin, B. S.; Turnbull, J. E. 1979. The economics
of heat recovery systems for animal shelters.
Can. Agric. Eng. 21(l):53-59.

Lin, C. S.; Poushinsky, G.; Mauer, M. 1979. An
examination of five sampling methods under
random and clustered disease distributions
using simulation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:121-
130.

Lodge, G. A.; Friend, D. W.; Wolynetz, M. S.
1979. Effect of pregnancy on body composition
and energy balance of the gilt. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:51-61.

Morse, P. M. 1979. Sequential and non-sequential
experimentation for studying insect response to
aggregation stimuli. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.
72(4):568-573.

Rao, V. R.; Brach, E. J.; Mack, A. R. 1979.
Bidirectional reflectance of crops and the soil
contribution. Remote Sensing Environ. 8:115-
125.

Reid, W. S.; Nicholls, C. F.; Layne, R. E. C. 1979.
A mechanical device for cracking prunus pits.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:903-907.

Sefa-Dedeh, S.; Stanley, D. W.; Voisey, P. W.
1979. Effect of storage time and conditions on
the hard-to-cook defect in cowpeas (Vigna
unguiculata). J. Food Sci. 44:790-796.

Voisey, P. W.; Hamilton, R. M. G.; Thompson, B.
K. 1979. Laboratory measurements of eggshell
strength 2. The quasi-static compression, punc-
ture, non-destructive deformation and specific
gravity methods applied to the same egg.
Poult. Sci. 58(2):288-294.

Voisey, P. W.; Paton, D.; Larmond, E. 1979.
Apparatus for monitoring cake structure devel-
opment during baking. Cereal Chem.
56(4):346-351.

Voisey, P. W.; Stanley, D. W. 1979. Interpretation
of instrumental results in measuring bacon
crispness. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J.
12(1):7-15.

Wolynetz, M. S. 1979. Maximum likelihood esti-
mation from confined and censored normal
data. Appl. Stat. 28(2): 1 85- 1 95.

Wolynetz, M. S. 1979. Maximum likelihood esti-
mation in a linear model from confined and
censored normal data. Appl. Stat. 28(2): 195-
206.

Miscellaneous

Brach, E. J. 1979. Report on multispectral resource
sampler (MRS) workshop. Eng. Stat. Res.
Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1155. 23 pp. (Oct.
1979).

Engineering and Statistical Research Institute.
1979. Summary of 1977-78 contract reports of
the agricultural engineering research and de-
velopment (AERD) program/Résumé des rap-
ports des travaux faits sous contrat en 1977-78
dans le cadre du programme de recherche et de
développement en génie rural (RDGR). Eng.
Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 7826
1117. 30 pp. (June 1979).

Feldman, M.; Montgomery, G. F.; Van Die, P.
1979. Agricultural engineering research &
development bulletin/ Recherches et développe-
ments en génie rural. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst.,
Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1140. 1 p. (Nov. 1979).

Feldman, M.; Van Die, P. 1979. Agriculture
Canada's contracting out program in agricul-
tural research and development (AERD)/
Programme d'impartition pour la recherche et
le développement en génie rural (RDGR).
Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No.
7826 1147. 14 pp. (Sept. 1979).

Kloek, M.; Nicholls, C. F. 1979. Preliminary tests
on objective measures of resistance of corn to
lodging for selection on this trait in breeding
trials. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep.
No. 7951 1166. 9 pp. (Dec. 1979).

Lievers, K. W.; Montgomery, G. F. 1979. PER-
CAE — Programs for extension a'nd research in
Canadian agricultural engineering/CA-
PRICE — Catalogue agricole des programmes
pour les recherchistes et les ingénieurs: conna-
ître et étudier. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric.
Can., Rep. No. 1112. 150 pp. (June 1979).

MacLean, A. J.; Hore, F. R. 1979. Manures and
compost. Agric. Can. Publ. 868. 17 pp. (June
1979).

Montgomery, G. F.; Chanasyk, L. W.; Scott, W. L.;
Thorp, J. S. 1979. Metric Sector 2.31 Con-
struction and agricultural equipment Supple-
mentary practice guide. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst.,
Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1162 (Nov. 1979).

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Montgomery, G. F.; Morrison, B. A.; Balke, K.

1979. Summary of projects and publications

1977-July 1979. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric.

Can., Rep. No. 7900 1152. 160 pp. (Aug.
1979).

Munroe, J. A. 1979. Foundations in agriculture.
Contractors Seminar, Portage La Prairie. 6 pp.
(Feb. 1979).

Nash, J. C; Price, K. R. 1979. Fitting two straight
lines. Proc. 12th Annu. Symp. Computer
Science and Statistics. 5 pp. (May 1979).

Phillips, P. A.; Culley, J. L. B.; Hore, F. R.; Patni,
N. K. 1979. Pollution potential and corn yields
from selected rates and timing of liquid ma-
nure applications. ASAE/CSAE Joint Meet-
ing, No. 79-21 17. 14 pp. (June 1979).

Phillips, P. A.; MacHardy, F. V. 1979. Effects of
low temperature on swine performance. I. A
model. ASAE/CSAE Joint Meeting, No. 79-
4001. 13 pp. (June 1979).

Phillips, P. A.; Young, B. A.; McQuitty, J. B.;
Hardin, R. T. 1979. Effects of low temperature
on swine performance. II. Protein deposition,
weight gains. ASAE/CSAE Joint Meeting,
No. 79-4002. 17 pp. (June 1979).

Poushinsky, G. 1979. Report on statistical software
requirements of the Research Branch based on
a survey conducted in January 1979. Eng. Stat.
Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1158. 41 pp.
(Dec. 1979).

Stanley, D. W.; Voisey, P. W. 1979. Texture-
structure relationships in bacon adipose tissue.
Food Texture & Rheology, Int. Union Food
Sci. Technol. Conf., Proc. Symp., London,
Engl. 30 pp. (Dec. 1979).

Timbers, G. E. 1979. Waste energy recapture from
agriculture's perspective. AIC 59th Annu.
Meet., Fredericton, N.B. 31 pp. (Aug. 1979).

Timbers, G. E. 1979. Biomass energy for agricul-
ture. Work Planning Meeting on Energy in the
Food System, Ottawa, Ont. 131-132 pp. (June
1979).

Timbers, G. E.; Hocking, R. P. 1979. Agriculture
Canada's biomass energy program. Proc. En-
ergy from Biomass Seminar (Mar. 1979).

Timbers, G. E.; Van Die, P.; Montgomery, G. F.;
Hocking, R. P. 1979. Agriculture Canada's
energy research and development program.
Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No.
7803 1107.21 pp. (June 1979).

Turnbull, J. E. 1979. Reclaiming ventilation heat
losses with heat exchanger. 22nd Annu. Poult.
Ind. Conf., London, Ont. 19 pp. (Apr. 1979).

Turnbull, J. E. 1979. Swine manure flushing sys-
tems. Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep.
No. 1-65. 16 pp. (Jan. 1979).

Turnbull, J. E. 1979. Housing and environment for
dairy calves. Planned Animal Health and
Production in Dairy and Beef Cattle Confer-
ence, Western College of Veterinary Medicine,
Saskatoon, Sask. 18 pp. (June 1979).

Turnbull, J. E.; Bird, N. A. 1979. Confinement
swine housing. Agric. Can. Publ. 1451. 73 pp.
(Feb. 1979).

Turnbull, J. E.; Montgomery, G. F. 1979. SI in
Canadian agricultural construction — an up-
date. ASAE Winter Meeting (Dec. 1979).

Vanasse, T. 1979. Catalogue of statistical and
mathematical packages and libraries. Eng.
Stat. Res. Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1164. 29
pp. (Nov. 1979).

Voisey, P. W. 1979. Recent advances in texture test
instrumentation and their application. Food
Texture & Rheology, Proc. Symp., Int. Union
Food Sci. Technol. Conf., London, Engl. 25 pp.
(Dec. 1979).

Voisey, P. W. 1979. Proc. Work Planning Meeting
on Energy in the Food System. Eng. Stat. Res.
Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1143. 231 pp.
(June 1979).

Voisey, P. W.; Mohr, W. P. 1979. Quality control
test for tomato juice viscosity. Eng. Stat. Res.
Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 7820 1-97. 40 pp.
(May 1979).

Voisey, P. W.; Thompson, B. K.; MacDonald, D. C.
1979. Some observations on the precise mea-
surement of eggshell deformation under quasi-
static non-destructive two compression forces
by an electronic technique. Eng. Stat. Res.
Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 7322 1136. 33 pp.
(July 1979).

Wilner, J.; Brach, E. J. 1979. Utilization of bioelec-
tric tests in biological research. Eng. Stat. Res.
Inst., Agric. Can., Rep. No. 1139. 155 pp.
(Nov. 1979).

Zilkey, B. F.; Pandeya, R. S.; Dirks, V. A.;
Poushinsky, G. 1979. Variability for several
smoke characteristics as they are influenced by
other leaf variables in flue-cured tobacco. 33rd
Tob. Chem. Res. Conf., Lexington, Ky. 1 p.
(Oct. 1979).

ENGINEERING AND STATISTICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

189

Food Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. Holme, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
E. Larmond, B.Sc.
D. J. Dobson

Director

Assistant Director
Administrative Officer

Food Processing

D. Paton, B.Sc, Ph.D.
D. B. Emmons, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
J. R. Quinn, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
R. P. Sinha, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

Program leader; Extrusion cooking
Dairy products
Meat processing
Microbiology — dairy

Food Quality

E. Larmond, B.Sc. Program leader; Sensory evaluation

M. Kalab, M.Sc, Ph.D. Dairy products — electron

microscopy

W. A. McGugan, B.S.A., Ph.D. Food flavor

R. C. McKellar, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Microbiology — psychrotrophs

I. R. Siddiqui, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., D.Sc, F.R.I.C. Carbohydrates

C. G. Zarkadas, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Meat proteins

Food Safety and Nutrition

D. F. Wood, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. A. Elliott, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. A. Holley, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. J. Mullin, Ph.D.

A. C. Nunes, B.Sc.

A. Paquet, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Meat processing
Microbiology — dairy
Microbiology — meat
Analytical methodology
Nutrient analysis
Amino acids

New Food Ingredients

P. J. Wood, B.Sc, Ph.D.
food research institute

Program leader; Carbohydrates

191

V. R. Harwalkar, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Dairy proteins

J. D. Jones, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.I.C. Oilseed processing

H. W. Modler, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D. Dairy products

M. R. Sahasrabudhe, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Cereal lipids

Departures

J. A. Elliott, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Microbiology — dairy

Retired 28 December 1979
J. Joanisse Administrative Officer

Resigned 3 July 1979
W. A. McGugan, B.S.A., Ph.D. Food flavor

Retired 28 December 1979

192 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Food Research Institute (FRI) registered good progress toward all its goals in 1979,
in spite of difficulties in staffing to replenish recent retirements and resignations and to respond
to increased allocations of staff. At year's end two long-resident and valuable employees of the
Institute retired: Dr. Jim Elliott from our microbiology laboratories and Dr. Wes McGugan
from the flavor research program. A large group of people gathered at FRI and joined many
others not present to wish them well and thank them for their contributions to Agriculture
Canada and the field of food science and technology.

The Institute's organization was closely aligned to departmental objectives in 1978, and
the programs and staff allocations have been reviewed and consolidated in 1979 to best respond
to these. Strengthening of the Food Safety and Nutrition program continues as a high-priority
goal, as does enhancement of technology transfer, technical service, and collaboration with the
Canadian food industry. FRI continues to serve on all committees of the Canada Committee on
Food, and looks to these as important contributors to the definition of long-term research and
development needs in food science.

The research of the Institute is providing valuable information in many sectors of a broad
field of interest, but important activities include licensing and commercial assessment of FRI
rapeseed technology, demonstration of whey utilization as animal feed, new cereal processing
technology, further understanding of mechanisms of extrusion cooking, whey protein
denaturation, and processed meat production. In addition, the development of new food
ingredients from a variety of agricultural products remains a strong program.

This year the Institute welcomed Dr. R. C. McKellar to the staff, where he will join our
food quality program and commence research on dairy product microbiology. The Institute
was also pleased to have Dave Dobson join us as Administrative Officer following the
resignation of Jacques Joanisse, who turned to farming as a long-term personal goal after many
fine years with FRI and the Department.

This report covers only highlights of the total program. Enquiries regarding any aspect of
the Institute program and for reprints of its publications are welcomed, and should be directed
to the Food Research Institute, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A
0C6.

John Holme
Director

FOOD PROCESSING

Mechanisms of extrusion cooking

In order to adequately assess the results of
the effects and interactions of process varia-
bles and wheat flour components on product
viscosity curves, a versatile computer program
has been developed in cooperation with the
Engineering and Statistical Research Insti-
tute and the Land Resource Research Insti-
tute. With an appropriate interface, this
program has been used with a plotter to
generate three-dimensional color or black-
and-white projections of viscosity as a func-
tion of temperature and extruder operating
conditions. This development reduces data
that are too complex to handle and presents
the information in a visually effective manner,

enabling improved curve comparisons to be
made.

Cereal flours have been processed using the
novel split-barrel extruder under constant
moisture and screw speed but under varying
conditions of temperature and screw geome-
try. By splitting the barrel upon completion of
each extrusion, zones within which the moist
flour is transformed into other phase states
have been identified and photographed. This
enables these phase transitions to be related to
operating conditions and to the functional
characteristics of the product.

A method has been developed to measure
the degree of cooking of any extruded cereal-
based product. Presently there is no satisfac-
tory or universally adopted method available.
The new method takes advantage of the
viscosity-temperature response of the starch

FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

193

component and makes use of a previously
reported development, the Ottawa starch
viscometer. Total analysis time from sampling
is approximately 20 min.

Meat products

Various nonmeat proteins have been incor-
porated into wiener batters to determine their
influence on yield and texture of products.
Although yields were improved, effects of
these proteins on product texture were much
more variable and generally deleterious. An
evaluation of various functional properties of
nonmeat proteins as possible predictors of
behavior in wieners revealed that only ther-
mally induced viscosity increases were useful.
Although some plant proteins behave better
than others, no consistent relationships are
evident and none behave as well as the
control.

Milk-coagulating enzymes

Chicken pepsin exhibits a greater rate and
degree of proteolysis than calf rennet, result-
ing in a lower cheese yield. Proteolysis has
also been shown to result in production of
bitter off-flavors. For these reasons, chicken
pepsin is not to be recommended as a replace-
ment for calf rennet in Cheddar cheese
manufacture.

Gelation of milk proteins

The influence of various milk components,
e.g. casein micelles, whey proteins, and miner-
als, upon the microstructure of acid-heat milk
gels in the pH range of 4.6-6.3 was examined.
Microstructures varied with the conditions
used. The unusual corelike structures sur-
rounding casein micelles (at pH 5.5) were
observed only when casein micelles were
heated in the presence of /3-lactoglobulin and
glocono-ô-lactone.

FOOD QUALITY

Carbohydrates

Studies on alginates were concluded. Al-
though L-guluronic acid has been known as a
constituent of alginates since 1955 no crystal-
line derivative of this acid was known.
L-Guluronic acid was characterized, for the
first time, both as a crystalline brucine and a
crystalline sodium salt. The difference in
[«][) values of the brucine salts of D-mannu-
ronic and L-guluronic acids provided the basis

of a polarimetric procedure for determining
the composition of alginates. Further im-
provements in the decarboxylation technique
of Siddiqui and Morris were introduced to
make it suitable for the optimal analysis of
alginates. The isolation of sodium L-guluro-
nate provided the necessary standard to
determine the stability of L-guluronic acid
under the hydrolytic and decarboxylation
conditions. Finally a convenient procedure for
producing gram quantities of L-guluronic and
D-mannuronic acids was developed.

Synthesis of 4-0-/3-D-glucopyranosyl de-
rivatives of vanillic and p-coumaric acids
were performed for sensory evaluation tests,
in view of the interest in the natural plant
polyphenols as possible causes of the bitter or
astringent character or both of seed- and leaf-
protein meals.

Amino acid methodology

One preparative and three accelerated
analytical single-column chromatographic
methods have been developed for determining
all the unusual basic amino acids in proteins,
physiological fluids, and a variety of tissues.
This study extends and refines the work
reported earlier and includes the complete
separation, isolation, and automated determi-
nation of all methylated basic amino acids,
the diastereoisomers of 5-hydroxylysine, des-
mosine, and isodesmosine and all stable cross-
linking amino acids and related compounds
derived from collagen and elastin. The accel-
erated methods are designed to be used with
both conventional and fully automated amino
acid analyzers and have the advantages that
complete separation of all these components is
possible in a single analysis and that the time
required for a complete analysis has been
reduced from 24 to 9 h. The sensitivity and
speed of these methods have proven valuable
for assessing the nutritive value, connective
tissue content, and protein quality of animal
protein supplements such as squid, fish, meat,
and bone meals.

This approach has also been successfully
applied to the assessment of the myofibrillar
and connective tissue content of meats and
several meat products. The most significant
finding is that the myofibrillar and connective
tissue contents of the meat blends analyzed
are linearly related to the amounts of Nr-
methylhistidine, 5-hydroxylysine, and stable
cross-links present.

194

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Microstructure

Cheddar cheese. Based on a method devel-
oped earlier, Cheddar cheese made in Canada
and the USA was surveyed for curd junction
patterns. This survey covered Cheddar cheese
made by all the different technological proce-
dures used in North America. All the au-
tomated equipment used to produce Cheddar
cheese elongated the curd granules ("ched-
dared" the curd) to a lesser or greater extent.
Some equipment produced characteristic pat-
terns. All the results are in the form of
permanent records as dried cheese slabs (2 x
50 x 70 mm) and micrographs.

Buttermilk. Buttermilk made from sweet
cream is difficult to distinguish from skim
milk by chemical analytical methods. The
knowledge of this difficulty may lead to
adulteration of skim milk with buttermilk,
particularly because buttermilk commands a
lower price than skim milk. However, mor-
phology of the pellets obtained by ultracen-
trifugation (80 000 X g for 2 h) of reconsti-
tuted skim milk and buttermilk, as examined
by electron microscopy, differed considerably.
In pure skim milk the pellet consisted exclu-
sively of casein micelles, but in buttermilk
there was a high concentration of fat globule
membrane fragments and cellular debris in
the pellet. On this basis, it was possible to
detect as little as 5% of buttermilk blended
into pure skim milk. Some commercial skim
milk specimens, however, were found to
contain membranous material; it is possible
that such products already contained butter-
milk. A morphological survey of skim milk
specimens from various producers is being
carried out.

Freeze-fracturing. A new electron micro-
scopical method developed by Dr. G. H.
Haggis and E. Bond of the Chemistry and
Biology Research Institute for studies of
animal and plant cells was adapted to milk
products. This method consists of freeze-
fracturing the specimen in a cryoprotective
agent, fixing the fragments, drying them, and
replacing the fractured surfaces. With porous
products such as cottage cheese or yogurt, the
replicas are thick because platinum as the
coating metal and carbon used to support the
replica penetrate deep into the specimen. This
makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional
micrographs. Such micrographs are obtained
under a transmission electron microscope and,
hence, are superior, as far as the resolution is

concerned, to micrographs obtained by scan-
ning electron microscopy. Lactic bacteria and
their filamentous strands and even casein
micelles in cottage cheese were successfully
fractured and visualized by this new method,
giving an insight into the bacteria and the
casein micelles that was not possible before
the development of this method.

Process cheese. In cooperation with Dr. C.
A. Ernstrom of the Utah State University,
effects of various melting salts on emulsifica-
tion of fat in process cheese were studied by
scanning and transmission electron micros-
copy (TEM). The salts were found to be in
the crystalline (undissolved) form even 40
min after cooking had been started. Some
salts showed characteristic shapes that facili-
tated their recognition. The disintegration of
large fat particles was best visualized by
TEM.

Meat quality

Sensory evaluation of meat that results
from animal studies at Research Branch
stations is continuing. These included evalua-
tion of chickens fed rapeseed meal (at Swift
Current), chickens fed potato waste (at
Kentville), forage-fed beef (at Melfort), and
once-bred gilts (at the Animal Research
Institute). A major study of the eating quality
of Maturity Class I and Maturity Class II
beef in collaboration with the Food Produc-
tion and Marketing Branch showed Maturity
Class I beef to be more tender than Maturity
Class II beef.

Flavor

A description of flavor chemicals listed in
28 categories has been prepared for publica-
tion as a Food Research Report. No compara-
ble publication lists the material according to
flavor description.

FOOD SAFETY AND NUTRITION

Glucosinolate studies

A project on optimum drying of horseradish
was carried out and as a result a commercial
processor is now producing horseradish with
greatly improved quality. Improvement in
methodologies for the fractionation and anal-
ysis of glucosinolates and their hydrolysis
products has been achieved. Participation in a
collaborative study on methodology for rape-
seed glucosinolates was completed. This study

FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

195

was initiated by the Research Station, Agri-
culture Canada, Saskatoon.

Nitrosamine analysis

A survey of 200 Canadian cured meats
other than bacon was carried out under the
meat contract research program. The samples
were analyzed for six different volatile nitros-
amines. All samples were found to be virtually
free of nitrosopyrrolidine, nitrosopiperidine,
nitrosodibutylamine, and nitrosodiethylarnine.
Nitrosodimethylamine was detected in very
low levels in all classes of the cured meat
samples. This nitrosamine is found in a
variety of food products and appears to be
somewhat ubiquitous. For the most part, all
classes average less than 5 ppb of this
nitrosamine. Approximately 44% of the cured
meats sampled has levels of nitrosomorpholine
from 1 to 5.0 ppb. This nitrosamine was
eliminated on removal of morpholine-based
cleaning compounds from plant clean-up
procedures.

Amino acid derivatives

A new synthesis route for A^-acyl deriv-
atives of tryptophan and threonine has been
demonstrated and these derivatives are being
tested for biological activity. Previously syn-
thesized methionine derivatives have been
tested for biological activity with results
ranging from 100% for stearoylmethionine
and its sodium salt to 50% for the stearoyl
ethyl ester. These methionine derivatives show
promise for use in protein supplementation,
because they have only 50% or less of the
flavor problems associated with the use of
methionine alone. Some of the amino acid
derivatives developed under this program
have demonstrated bactericidal properties in
model system studies.

Proteolysis products

Proteolysis products have been studied at
Laval University as intrinsic factors affecting
nutritional properties of plant proteins. Pro-
tein fractions have been prepared from wheat,
soya, and rapeseed and these have been
evaluated nutritionally in comparison to
animal protein proteolysates. The latter were
more rapidly absorbed than similarity treated
plant proteins, with casein being the most and
rapeseed the least rapidly absorbed. There
was a high correlation between nutritive value
of food proteins and proteolytic products
containing fractions of less than 1000 mol wt.

Lysinoalanine studies

Toxicity studies at Laval University have
shown that free and bound lysinoalanine
(LAL) have no effect on renal function in the
rat but morphological changes were observed
in the distal kidney tubules that were a
function of the release and absorption of LAL
in rat intestine. Alkali treatment of soya and
rapeseed proteins and casein promoted both
free and bound LAL formation, with casein
producing the most and soya the least. A
sensitive HPLC method was developed to
measure LAL in blood serum.

Microbiology

Substantial data have been accumulated on
the microbial load on eggs passing through
grading stations. These data are currently
being used to develop regulations for egg
washing.

It has been shown that the problem of late
gas in cheese is caused by a microorganism. It
has not been possible, to date, to identify this
organism.

Contract work continues to expand in this
area and covers a wide range of microbiolog-
ical problems in food safety.

NEW FOOD INGREDIENTS

Oats

Oat gum. The endospermic cell walls of
Hinoat, a high-protein cultivar of oats, con-
tain a high-viscosity gum, which has been
purified. Enzyme digestion of the purified
glucan with a specific /3-glucan endohydro-
lase (from B. subtilis) produced mainly a
trisaccharide and a tetrasaccharide. Based on
the yields of these, it was calculated that the
glucan contains 71% /3-1,4-linkages and 29%
/3-1,3-linkages. Barley /3-glucan, similarly
treated, appeared to contain 70% /3-l,4- and
30% /3-1,3-linkages. Interaction of the /3-glu-
can with dye was used to monitor the enzyme
digestion. This is a potentially useful tech-
nique that overcomes some of the disadvan-
tages inherent in viscosity and reducing sugar
assays. The interaction of dyes with cereal
/î-glucans and other polysaccharides has
confirmed that major interaction with both
Congo Red and CalcoFluor M2R New is only
shown by polysaccharides containing contig-
uous /3-1,4-linked glucopyranosyl units (cel-
lulosic type). /3-Glucans interact strongly

196

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

with Congo Red only. In the cello-oligosac-
charide series, interaction starts at the penta-
mer level. These results suggest that interac-
tion is controlled by polysaccharide
conformation. Attempts to quantitatively
analyze the dye-binding curves obtained from
spectrophotometric studies have not been
successful to date, possibly because of aggre-
gation phenomena. Nevertheless it can be
qualitatively shown that there is an increase
in dye binding with increased ionic strength.
Studies with water-soluble derivatives of
cellulose have shown that the degree of
substitution of the cellulose chain affects dye
binding. Studies of the precipitation of oat
/?-glucan by CalcoFluor have shown that at
high /3-glucan concentrations salt inhibits the
precipitation reaction, but at lower /3-glucan
concentrations, salt enhances the precipitation
reaction.

Oat lipids. The GLC peak appearing in the
area of C4 short-chain fatty acid methyl esters
has been shown by GLC/MS and IR analysis
to be a mixture of acetals, free fatty acids
(FFA), and vinyl esters (the latter may be a
contaminant). FFA was estimated to consti-
tute 30-45% of the total GLC peak.

Oat starch. Further structural studies on
Hinoat starch have revealed that pullulanase,
a debranching enzyme, is unable to com-
pletely break down the structure of this oat
starch. Waxy maize starch, having 99% of the
highly branched amylopectin component, is
almost totally degraded by pullulanase. Since
Hinoat starch is composed of 17% amylose,
26% of an intermediate fraction, and 57%
amylopectin, the pullulanase result suggests
the presence of certain branch points exhibit-
ing resistance to enzyme attack. The behavior
of Hinoat starch in some model food formula-
tions has also been investigated and charac-
teristics of this starch paste in the presence of
salts, mild edible acid, and sucrose show
behavior distinctly different from other cereal
starches. The possibility that these anomalies
may be directly related to starch structure are
under consideration.

Oilseeds

Rapeseed protein concentrate. FRI-71
process rapeseed concentrate (RPC) incorpo-
rated in a diet at 20% protein level, supple-
mented with zinc (150 mg/kg), and fed to
young weanling rats for 16 wk showed no
significant effect on body weight, Zn, Fe, Cu,
and Ca levels in serum, liver, testes, and

femur. Serum and femur Mg levels (but not
liver and testes) were slightly elevated but
there was no gross adverse effect.

An alternative detoxification process (FRI-
75 process) for RPC preparation has been
patented in the USA and licensed in Canada.
Development work is in progress.

Contract studies at University of Toronto
on an improved process for preparation of
rapeseed protein isolate has reduced the
effluent phosphorus (P) generated, as well as
the P content of the isolate, and improved
product color, flavor, and protein content with
minimal losses of protein and functional
properties.

A contract to study the effect of phytate on
the nutritional and functional properties of
rapeseed protein has been completed. Low
phytate rapeseed isolates were prepared by
alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipita-
tion with CMC as an aid. Feeding trials with
phytate varying from 0.01% to 1.24% of diet
showed an inverse relationship between rat
performance and phytate content. Phytate
had marked effect on serum and femur Zn
levels.

Whey utilization

The use of whey protein concentrate
(WPC) in food was expanded by modifying
the functional properties of this whey by-
product. Heating whey at 90°C for 15 min in
the pH range of 2.5 to 3.5 produces a product
that was previously shown to have enhanced
water binding capacity, resistance to thermal
discoloration, and good solubility and gelation
properties.

Additional samples of WPC were prepared
by ultrafiltration (UF) for further study of the
functional properties. The water hydration
capacity (WHC) ranged from 0.95 to 1.68
and was affected by two variables: heating
after UF increased WHC from the range of
0.95-1.55 to 1.42-1.68; and higher pH of
heating, i.e. pH 3.0 and 3.5, increased WHC.
Commercial samples of WPC had WHC of
0.55-1.02.

The coagulation temperature of the acid
heat WPC is affected by both the method of
processing and pH of reconstitution. Heat at
pH 1.5 and reconstitution at pH 7-8 resulted
in the WPC coagulating at 72°C versus 71 for
liquid egg albumen. This coagulation temper-
ature could be lowered by as much as 20 deg
by changing the pH and point of heating;
higher pH levels (e.g. 3.0 and 3.5) tended to

FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

197

lower coagulation temperature; heating after
ultrafiltration also reduced coagulation tem-
perature. Commercial samples of WPC coag-
ulated in the temperature range of 61- 99°C,
depending upon product and pH in reconstitu-
tion.

The least coagulable protein concentration
(LCPC) varied from 1.5 to 3.6% and was also
dependent on both the pH of heating and
method of processing. Samples heated at pH
3.0 and 3.5 after UF tended to have higher
LCPC. Commercial WPC had LCPC that
ranged from 1.3 to 6.6%, depending upon
manufacturer and pH of reconstitution. Egg
albumen was used as the control sample and
had LCPC that ranged from 0.15% at pH 5.0
to 2.75% at pH 8.0.

Efforts to determine the underlying physic-
ochemical basis for the effects of acid heat
treatment on whey protein functionality have
continued. Several pilot-plant-produced WPC
were examined by methods previously used in
model denaturation studies on /3-lactoglob-
ulin. WPC prepared by heating after concen-
tration of whey by ultrafiltration showed
greater insolubility of pH 2.5, increased
denaturation (as pH 4.5 insoluble), lower
/3-lg/a-la by electrophoresis, and smaller

DSC endothermic peaks than the correspond-
ing WPC prepared by heating whey before
concentration by ultrafiltration. In both
processes, WPC prepared from whey at
higher pH contained more denatured proteins.
The nature and extent of denaturation of
whey proteins influences their functional
properties.

Thermal denaturation studies in model
systems was extended to include measurement
of changes in viscosity and enthalpy (DSC).
Changes in intrinsic viscosity [7j] of /?-lacto-
globulin solutions heated (90°C) at pH 2.5 up
to 60 min and their pH 4.5 insoluble and
soluble fractions were determined. The [r)] of
native /3-lactoglobulin (3 mL/g) increased
(7.3 to 13.2 mL/g) with time of heating. The
[77] of /3-lactoglobulin unfolded by guanidine
hydrochloride was 19.1 mL/g. Thus, unfold-
ing caused by heating was partial. This
observation is in agreement with previous
optical rotation measurements.

The denaturation of /J-lactoglobulin at pH
5.0-7.0 and in the presence of an anionic
detergent (SDS) was studied by differential
scanning calorimetry. Small amounts of SDS
(<5 mm) delayed endothermic reaction,
whereas larger amounts (>20 mm) hastened
it.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Friend, D. W.; Larmond, E.; Wolynetz, M. S.;
Price, K. R. 1979. Piglet and pork production
from gilts bred at puberty. Chemical composi-
tion of the carcass and assessment of meat
quality. J. Anim. Sci. 59(2):330-341.

Harwalkar, V. R. 1979. Comparison of physico-
chemical changes of whey proteins thermally
denatured at pH 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5. Milchwissen-
schaft34(7):419-422.

Hidiroglou, M.; Zarkadas, C. G. 1979. Methionine
metabolism in the rumen of sheep. Bull. Hell.
Vet.Med. Soc. 30(1 ):23-37.

Hulan, H. W.; Proudfoot, F. C; Zarkadas, C. G.
1979. The nutritional value and quality of
squid meal as a dietary protein source for
broiler chicken. Br. J. Nutr. 41:163-173.

Jelen, P.; Kalab, M.; Greig, R. I. W. 1979. Water-
holding capacity and microstructure of heat-
coagulated whey protein powders. Milchwis-
senschaft34(6):351-356.

Jones, J. D.; Sibbald, I. R. 1979. The true metab-
olizable energy values for poultry of fractions
of rapeseed (Brassica napus cv. Tower). Poult.
Sci. 58:385-391.

Jones, J. D. 1979. Rapeseed protein concentrate
preparation and evaluation. J. Am. Oil Chem.
Soc. 56:716-721.

Kalab, M. 1979. Scanning electron microscopy of
milk products — An overview. Scanning Elec-
tron Microsc. 111:261-272.

Kalab, M. 1979. Microstructure of dairy foods. 1.
Milk products based on protein. J. Dairy Sci.
62:1352-1364.

McGugan, W. A.; Emmons, D. B.; Larmond, E.
1979. Influence of volatile and nonvolatile
fractions on intensity of Cheddar cheese flavor.
J. Dairy Sci. 62:398-403.

McGugan, W. A.; Larmond, E.; Emmons, D. B.
1979. Some observations on the flavor of acid
whey. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J. 12:32-
35.

198

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

McKellar, R. C; Sprott, G. D. 1979. Solubilization
and properties of a membrane-bound hydro-
genase from Methanobacterium strain G2R. J.
Bacteriol. 139:231-238.

Paquet, A. 1979. Further studies on the use of the
thallium salt of 7V-hydroxysuccinimide for the
preparation of succinimidyl esters. Can. J.
Chem. 57(20):2775-2778.

Paton, D. 1979. Oat starch. Some recent develop-
ments. Staerke 6:184-187.

Porteous, J. D.; Quinn, J. R. 1979. Functional
property measurement of mixtures of meat and
extender proteins. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Tech-
nol.J. 12:203-206.

Quinn, J. R.; Paton, D. 1979. A practical measure-
ment of water hydration capacity of protein
materials. Cereal Chem. 56(l):38-40.

Quinn, J. R.; Raymond, D. P.; Larmond, E. 1979.
Instrumental measurement of wiener texture.
Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J. 12(3): 154-
156.

Sahasrabudhe, M. R. 1979. Lipid composition of
oats (Avena sativa L.). J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc.
56:80-84.

Sahasrabudhe, M. R.; Kurian C. J. 1979. Fatty
acid composition of margarines in Canada.
Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J. 1 2(3): 140-
144.

Shah, B. G.; Giroux, A.; Belonje, B.; Jones, J. D.
1979. Optimal level of zinc supplementation
for young rats fed rapeseed protein concen-
trate. J. Agric. Food Chem. 27(2):387-389.

Shah, B. G.; Giroux, A.; Jones, J. D. 1979.
Beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on
reproduction in rats fed rapeseed protein con-
centrate. Nutr. Metab. 23:275-285.

Siddiqui, I. R.; Morris, G. 1979. Optimal analysis
of alginates by decarboxylation. Carbohydr.
Res. 69:330-332.

Sprott, G. D.; McKellar, R. C; Shaw, K. M.;
Giroux, J. G.; Martin, W. G. 1979. Properties
of malate dehydrogenase isolated from
Methanospirillum hungatii. Can. J. Microbiol.
25:192-200.

Sprott, G. D.; Colvin, J. R.; McKellar, R. C. 1979.
Spheroplasts of Methanospirillum hungatii
formed upon treatment with dithiothreitol.
Can. J. Microbiol. 25:735-738.

Voisey, P. W.; Larmond, M. E.; Paton, D. 1979.
Apparatus for monitoring cake structure devel-
opment during baking. Cereal Chem.
56(4):346-351.

Zarkadas, C. H. 1979. Accelerated methods for
determining methylated basic amino acids in
proteins and muscle tissues and stable
crosslinks in elastin and collagen. J. Appl.
Biochem. 1(2): 148-163.

Miscellaneous

Elliott, J. A.; Emmons, D. B. 1979. Home-made
dairy products. Agric. Can. Publ. 1669.

Emmonds, D. B. 1979. Discussion, the Canadian
Experience in IDF. J. Dairy Sci. (Part of
Symp. Int. Dairy Fed.).

Jenkins, K. J.; Emmons, D. B. 1979. Low-pressure
fat-dispersion method for high fat milk replac-
ers improves calf performance. Canadex 401-
40 Sept.

Jones, J. D. 1979. Rapeseed protein concentrates —
Toxicology and nutrition. Proc. 5th Int. Rape-
seed Conf., Malmo, Sweden. 2:128-132.

Jones, J. D.; Holme, J. 1979. Oilseed processing — a
process for producing a detoxified protein
concentrate from defatted oilseeds particularly
those of the thioglucoside and phenolic con-
taining types. Filed in USA Pat. 4,158,656, 19
June 1979.

Kalab, M.; Emmons, D. B.; Larmond, E.; Lowrie,
R. J. 1979. Pheology and microstructure of
cheddar cheese made from partly skimmed and
homogenized milk. Golden Jubilee Meeting of
the Rheological Society Boston, Mass. (Sum-
mary accepted and printed).

Larmond, E.; McGugan, W. A. 1979. Some appli-
cations of sensory panels in flavor research at
Agriculture Canada's FRI. Flavor News. FRI-
1 -g- 1-7.

Modler, H. W.; Muller, P. G. 1979. Increased
profits through whey feeding. Hog Mark. Q.

Modler, H. W.; Muller, P. G. 1979. Economic
evaluation of feeding whey to livestock. Whey
Res. Workshop II, New Zealand.

Paquet, A. 1978. Acylation of amino acids. USA
Pat. 4,126,628, 21 November 1978. (Omitted
in error in 1978.)

Proudfoot, K. G.; Mullin, W. J. 1979. Glucosinolate
content of rutabaga cultivars. Crucifer Vernon,
Washington (July).

Siddiqui, I. R. 1979. The sugar of honey. Can.
Beck. 7:178.

Zarkadas, C. G. 1979. New methods for studying
muscular dystrophy and connective tissue dis-
orders. Abstr. 11th Int. Congr. Biochem.
Toronto, Ont. p. 654.

FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

199

Land Resource Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. S. Clark, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Director

M. B. Trudel Administrative Officer

Soil Resource Inventory and Mapping

J. H. Day, B.S.A., M.S.A. Head of Section; Correlation

J. L. Nowland, B.A., M.Sc. Soil correlation — Eastern

J. A. Shields, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Soil correlation — Great Plains

C. Tarnocai, B.S.F., M.S. Soil correlation — British Columbia

and North

Atlantic Soil Survey (Truro)

G. J. Beke, B.S.A., B.Sc, Ph.D. Head of Unit

F. Hender, B.Sc. Party leader, Newfoundland
P. K. Heringa, B.Sc, M.Sc. Party leader, Newfoundland

D. A. Holmstrom, B.S.A. Party leader, Nova Scotia

J. I. MacDougall, B.Sc, B.Sc. (Agr.) Party leader, Prince Edward Island

K. T. Webb, B.Sc, M.Sc Party leader, Nova Scotia

R. E. Wells, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Party leader, New Brunswick

Quebec Soil Survey (Sainte-Foy)

J. M. Cossette, B.Sc Head of Unit

L. Lamontagne, B.Sc Party leader

M. C Nolin, B.Sc, M.Sc. Party leader

Ontario Soil Survey (Guelph)

C. J. Acton, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Head of Unit

B. H. Cameron, B.Sc. (Agr.) Party leader

R. K. Jones, B.Sc, M.Sc. Party leader

E. W. Presant, B.S.A. , M.Sc. Party leader

G. J. Wall, B.S.A., Ph.D. Party leader

land resource research INSTITUTE 201

Manitoba Soil Survey (Winnipeg)

R. E. Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc.

W. R. Fraser, B.Sc., M.Sc.

W. Michalyna, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. Veldhuis, Ing.

Head of Unit
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader

Saskatchewan Soil Survey (Saskatoon)

D. F. Acton, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A. K. Ballantyne, B.S.A., M.Sc.

L. M. Kozak, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. Padbury, B.S.A., M.Sc.

H. P. W. Rostad, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. E. Souster, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. B. Stonehouse, B.S.A., M.Sc

Head of Unit
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader

Alberta Soil Survey (Edmonton)

W. W. Pettapiece, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. M. Coen, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. A. Kjearsgaard, B.Sc.
T. W. Peters, B.Sc, M.Sc.
J. Tajek, Eng.

Head of Unit
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader

British Columbia Soil Survey (Vancouver)

T. M. Lord, B.S.A.

A. J. Green, B.S.A., M.Sc.

D. E. Moon, B.Sc.

K. W. G. Valentine, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

L. J. P. Van Vliet, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Head of Unit
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader

Soil Classification

J. A. McKeague, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. C. W. Keng, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. E. M. Lévesque, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

G. C. Topp, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

C. A. Fox, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

C. Wang, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. Wilson, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.I.C.

Head of Section; Classification

Physics structure

Organic soils

Physics and water

Micromorphology

Chemistry

Engineering

Land Use and Evaluation

J. Dumanski, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. R. Coote, M.S., Ph.D.

J. Culley, B.Sc, M.Sc

R. DeJong, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. B. MacDonald, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. Switzer-Howse, B.Sc.

Head of Section
Degradation
Water quality
Water use
Evaluation
Information

202

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Agrometeorology

A. R. Mack, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. L. Desjardins, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.
S. N. Edey, B.Sc.
H. N. Hayhoe, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
D. W. Stewart, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. B. Stewart, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. E. Ouellet, B.A., B.Sc.A., M.Sc.

Acting Head of Section; Remote
sensing

Micrometeorology
Climatology
Biomathematics
Micrometeorology
Applications
Ecoclimatology

Departures

V. I. BURACHYNSKI, B.Sc

Resigned 27 April 1979
R. M. Marcoux, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Resigned 20 April 1979
A. Brunelle, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Resigned 15 June 1979
C. G. Heath, B.Sc.

Resigned 27 September 1979
H. C. Slavinski, B.Sc, M.Sc.

End of term position, 12 October 1979
G. D. V. Williams, B.S.A., M.A.

Transferred to Atmospheric Environment Service,

1 June 1979
W. B. Baier, Diplomlandwirt, Dr. agr., M.Sc

Seconded as Acting Director of Chemistry and

Biology Research Institute, 14 May 1979

Party leader
Head of Unit
Party leader
Party leader
Party leader
Crop information

Head of Agrometeorology Section

VISITING SCIENTISTS

National Research Council postdoctorate fellow

L. M. Dwyer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Agrometeorology

Transfer of work from National Institute of Agricultural Science, Tokyo, Japan

Y. Kato, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Information systems

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

203

INTRODUCTION

In April 1978, the Land Resource Research Institute (LRRI) was established to bring
together the main professional disciplines involved in agricultural land resource studies within
Agriculture Canada. To achieve this, the Institute focuses on three main activities: (1) the
assembly and integration of information on land forms, soils, and climate and their interactions
relative to the evaluation of land resources for potential agricultural and related uses; (2) the
collection and synthesis of information on the seasonal dynamics of weather and its effects on
land use and food production; and (5) the undertaking of research as required to meet the
needs of the first two functions. To meet these requirements, activities of the Institute focus on
the physical aspects of land that determine its potential for various uses and on the influence of
weather on these potentials.

This report briefly outlines the Institute's organization, programs, roles, progress, and
major achievements during 1979. Requests for details should be addressed to: Land Resource
Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A 0C6.

J. S. Clark
Director

ORGANIZATION OF THE
INSTITUTE

During 1979, revision and updating of the
LRRI programs were completed. Institute
activities were organized into an administra-
tive section, a laboratory and field staff that
serves all Institute programs, and four re-
search and service programs. The latter are
organized as follows:

(/) Soil resource inventory and mapping

(2) Soil classification

(3) Land use and evaluation

(4) Agrometeorology.

Program functions, goals, and main project
areas of these programs are summarized
below.

Soil resource inventory and mapping

Function. The functions of this program are
to conduct soil inventories and to publish
reports and maps required for land use
planning and agricultural land development.
This includes preparing guides for rating soils,
providing soil ratings for various uses, produc-
ing derived and interpretive maps, and pre-
senting soil and landscape properties and
generalized descriptions of soils.

Goal. The program's goals are to complete
the inventory of critical areas of Canada, to
extend the soil survey coverage to new areas,
to apply improved systems for taxonomic and
interpretive classifications, and to develop
improved mapping systems.

Program projects. Thirteen projects are
contained in this program including:

(A) Inventory (11 projects) — to complete
the resurvey of selected areas of
Canada and to extend soil survey
coverage to new areas with potential
for agricultural and other develop-
ments;

(B) Correlation — to improve the quality
and consistency of soil classification,
mapping, and interpretations;

(C) Mapping and cartography — to develop
improved mapping and cartographic
procedures and standardized mapping
systems according to the scale and
purpose of the survey.

Soil classification

Function. The function of this program is to
improve the taxonomic and interpretive classi-
fication of Canadian soils by research and
analysis of new soil information.

Goal. The program's goal is to develop
improved methods and criteria for character-
izing organic and selected mineral soils, for
characterizing and modeling soil water re-
gimes, and for interpreting soil information
for specific purposes.

Program projects. Three projects are con-
tained in this program:

(A) Organic soils — to develop improved
procedures for characterizing, classify-
ing, and managing organic soil;

204

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

(B) Mineral soils — to improve the charac-
terization and understanding of genesis
of selected mineral soils, to refine
classification criteria as necessary, and
to develop and test a system for engi-
neering interpretations of soil survey
information;

(C) Soil water and structure — to develop
and apply improved methodology for
soil-water measurements and to fur-
ther the understanding of soil-water
retention and movement in structured
soils as a basis of developing a process
model of the water regime of soils in
the landscape.

Land use and evaluation

Function. The function of this program is to
establish national systems for integrating and
interpreting soil, climate, landform, agro-
nomic, and economic data for evaluating the
potential of land for various alternative
agricultural uses and maintaining the quality
of the land resource for production.

Goal. The program's goal is to develop
improved methodology for evaluating, pro-
tecting, and interpreting the capability and
quality of the soil resources of Canada for the
purposes of land-use decision-making and
policy assessment.

Program projects. Included in this program
are four projects as follows:

(A) Soil information systems — to improve
existing methods and to develop new
computerized techniques for collating,
storing, and interpreting soil-resource
and crop-yield data for purposes of
land evaluation, land-management
recommendations, soil interpretations,
and monitoring of land degradation;

(B) Crop production potentials — to de-
velop procedures for predicting yield at
various scales as a function of soils,
climate, and management, for all eco-
nomically important crops in Canada;

(C) Resource protection — to develop an
improved inventory of soil degradation
processes (such as erosion) and to
compile preliminary assessments of the
relation of these processes to water
quality, land use, and soil manage-
ment;

(D) Land use and socioeconomic evalua-
tion— to develop procedures for inte-
grating environmental, agronomic, and

socioeconomic information for the sys-
tematic evaluation of the agricultural
land-use potential of Canada's land
resources.

Agrometeorology

Function. The function of this program is to
develop and apply improved methodology for
the assessment of agroclimatic resources and
crop-weather relationships as they affect land
management and crop production in Canada.

Goal. The program's goal is to develop
improved methodology for the assessment of
agroclimatic resources and for analyzing and
monitoring crop response to weather, soil, and
land management in order to provide agrome-
teorological information as required for agri-
cultural research and services, and as an input
to planning, marketing, and farm-manage-
ment decisions.

Program projects. Four projects are con-
tained in this program:

(A) Climate — to develop improved meth-
odology for the assessment of agrocli-
matic resources and to provide agrocli-
matological information leading to
more efficient management of national
resources for food and fiber produc-
tion;

(B) Crop information — to develop systems
for evaluating the areal extent, grow-
ing conditions, and yield prospects
from remote sensing, soil information,
and statistical and meteorological data
for improved marketing information
on the national and international sup-
ply aspects of selected crops;

(C) Applications — to provide agrometeoro-
logical information in support of agri-
cultural research and services and to
interpret meteorological data in a form
most useful in planning and manage-
ment of farm operations;

(D) Crop and weather systems — to im-
prove crop environmental data acquisi-
tion systems at all scales and to
develop simulation and statistical-type
models using physical or physiological
and mathematical concepts thereby
providing basic knowledge of soil-
crop-atmospheric systems in order to
increase the efficiency of resources
utilization and management practices
in crop production in Canada.

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

205

INSTITUTE ROLES

Activities of the LRRI include research,
development, and services related to Canada's
land resources. These activities not only
support other research within the Research
Branch but also provide information essential
to policy and decision making for regional and
national levels of governments, educational
institutions, and agribusiness. In pursuit of
these activities, the Institute provides leader-
ship and is responsible for a number of
national programs related to land including
those outlined below.

Soil inventory. Soil mapping is done by
LRRI staff in cooperation with provincial and
university personnel throughout the nation,
and correlation provides a measure of quality
control of soil maps and reports. Maps are
prepared showing the distribution of soils and
the land capability for various potential uses.

Computerized soil and land information
system (CanSIS). Soil survey, soil manage-
ment, crop yield, and cartographic data are
stored so as to be available to users
throughout Canada.

Soil taxonomy and interpretations. Im-
provements are developed in taxonomic and
interpretative soil classification systems
through research and integration of informa-
tion from many sources.

Land evaluation. Soils, climate, agronomic,
and economic data are being integrated to
develop improved methodology for predicting
crop-yield potentials and assessing the quality
of the land resources of Canada for various
uses.

Agrometeorological data archive. Agrome-
teorological data and processing services are
provided.

Crop information system. Agroclimatic
resource maps and statistical and remote
sensing data are being integrated to develop a
system for monitoring the areal extent, grow-
ing conditions, and yield prospects of selected
crops.

Committees. The LRRI contributes to the
integration of land-related activities of Agri-
culture Canada and other federal and provin-
cial agencies through participation in a
number of committees. These include:

• Canada Comittee on Land Resource
Services (CCLRS) and the associated
expert committees

• provincial agricultural services coordi-
nating committees and soil survey
committees

• Canada Committee on Ecological
Land Classification

• Interdepartmental Committee on Land
Use

• Interdepartmental Committee on
Water

• Geotechnical Committee of the Na-
tional Research Council

• Canada Advisory Committee on Re-
mote Sensing

• Committee on Great Lakes Water
Quality.

INSTITUTE PROGRESS AND
ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 1979

Soil resource inventory and mapping

The soil resource inventory and mapping
program involves personnel of the soil survey
units throughout Canada and a group at
headquarters of the Land Resource Research
Institute in Ottawa concerned with soil corre-
lation and cartography. The survey projects
are conducted in cooperation with personnel
of provincial agencies following working
priorities that are established in the provinces
through consultation and mutual agreements.
Many of the federal soil survey units share
offices and other facilities with their provin-
cial counterparts. Unlike previous annual
reports, the report which follows includes only
the resource inventory and mapping carried
out by the federal soil survey staff.

Newfoundland. The soil report and map of
the Codroy area have been published. The
reconnaissance survey of the Avalon and
Bonavista areas has been completed and the
reports were submitted for editing and publi-
cation. Soil survey reports for the Cormack
and Port au Port areas have been completed
and are ready for editing. Soil mapping is
progressing in several projects in the province.
A detailed soil survey is being carried out in
the Terra Nova area and an exploratory soil
survey is being conducted in the Gander Lake
area. Interim soil maps and soil capability
maps have been compiled for both of these
latter projects.

Prince Edward Island. Soil information has
been presented on photomosaic maps (scale
1:10 000) for 60% of the province, and these
map manuscripts have been sent to the

206

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

cartography unit for publication. Ten percent
of these photomosaic soil maps have been
transferred to smaller-scale line maps which
provide a generalized soil map for the prov-
ince. In addition to this, interpretive matrices
were completed for two test areas and from
these, using the CanSIS system, 10 single
factorial and interpretive maps for different
uses were generated.

Nova Scotia. The reports Soil of the
Atlantic Region and Key to the Soils of Nova
Scotia were completed. Reconnaissance soil
mapping was conducted in Pictou county and
approximately 75% of the mapping has been
completed. A regional workshop on soil
erosion was conducted, with the main empha-
sis being on the causes and consequences of
soil erosion in the province. The Quebec and
Maritime (Q and M) pipeline environmental
maps were evaluated and mitigation measures
were reviewed.

New Brunswick. The soil report and maps
for the Richibucto-Rogersville area were
completed and submitted for publication to
Research Program Service. A detailed soil
survey of Part 1 of the Sussex area was
completed, interim maps were prepared, and
sections of the soil survey report were par-
tially completed. The Q and M pipeline
environmental maps were evaluated and
mitigation measures were reviewed.

Quebec. A detailed survey was completed in
a portion of the St-Hyacinthe area. Soil
legends and preliminary maps were completed
for the Temiscouata, Arthabaska, and
Charlevoix map areas. The Q and M environ-
mental maps for the proposed gas pipeline
route were evaluated. The LRRI mitigation
measures were evaluated and a translation of
the bulletin Possible Impact of Pipeline
Construction on Farmland was prepared.
This bulletin summarizes the findings of the
Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick
groups.

Ontario. Draft soil reports were completed
on contract for the Dryden-Kenora and Rainy
River sheets and for Pukaskwa National
Park. The draft report and soil maps for the
Middlesex map sheet have been completed.
Detailed soil mapping has been completed in
the Norfolk-Haldimand area and approx-
imately 90% of the reconnaissance survey has
been completed in the Ottawa-Carleton area.
In addition to this, soil reports of the Peter-
borough area reconnaissance soil survey and

the Brant area detailed soil survey have been
edited. Research was conducted on interpreta-
tion of soil-survey information, soil-mapping
systems, soil-water regimes, soil erodability,
and the relationship of soil-erosion processes
to soil-management practices.

Manitoba. Soil reports were published for
three detailed project areas (Oak Lake,
Grindstone Point, and Glenboro) and a recon-
naissance soil report was published for the
Split Lake - Sipiwesk project area. In addi-
tion to this, soil reports for the Bird River,
Lac du Bonnet, and Ste-Rose areas were
completed and submitted for publication.
Detailed soil mapping was carried out and
completed in select areas of South Riding
Mountain, West Interlake, Swan River
Townsite, Dauphin, West Portage, and
Whiteshell planning districts. Reconnaissance
soil mapping was completed in the Hadash-
ville and Rat River organic soil study areas.
Project reports were completed for physio-
graphic regions of Manitoba, and for guides
for rating soils for engineering uses, soil-water
regime, and soil-mapping systems.

Saskatchewan. Draft reports were com-
pleted and submitted for editing for the
Waterhen, Green Lake, Wapewekka, Swift
Current, and Hudson Bay - Swan Lake
detailed soil survey projects. Reports were
also completed on a variety of lesser projects
that included: a detailed soil survey of New-
combe community pasture, a soil-salinity and
groundwater study, and a study of soil re-
sources for park planning and management
for Parks Canada.

Alberta. Soil maps and a legend for the
Lethbridge area were completed and submit-
ted to cartography. Soil maps and a legend for
Newell county were completed and given
restricted circulation to selected users. The
Brazeau dam area maps and report are in
final publication stage. A generalized map of
Solonetzic soils in Alberta was completed to
editing stage. Mapping was completed in the
Banff-Jasper area and in one-third of the
Warner County area. Technical advice was
provided to provincial agencies on modifica-
tion of soil irrigability ratings, municipal
assessment manual, crop-yield information
related to hail and crop insurance, and
management of Solonetzic soils.

British Columbia. The reconnaissance soil
survey report of the Princeton area has been
published. The soil and derivative maps for

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

207

the Mill-Woodfibre project area were submit-
ted for printing. Soil reports for the Quesnel
and Lac La Hache - Clinton projects were
completed. A detailed soil survey was com-
pleted on selected areas on the Gulf Islands
and in the Power River area. Work continued
on the Tanzanian wheat project (the unit has
been involved in this project for several
years). The Tanzanian soil and wheat suit-
ability maps were edited and submitted for
publication.

Ottawa. The correlation staff, in conjunc-
tion with provincial correlators, conducted
correlation studies in many areas: Caribou
wetlands in British Columbia, Norfolk-Hal-
dimand and Ottawa-Carleton areas in On-
tario, Beaver County in Alberta, and the
Weyburn-Melville area in Saskatchewan.
They collectively completed a manuscript
Recommended Soil Correlation Procedures.
Further development and testing of the soil-
water regime classification and of the soil-
mapping system were conducted. Soil reports
and map legends were edited for Brazeau
Dam, Lardeau, Nelson, The Pas, Seymour
Arm, LTslet, Bonavista, Richibucto-Rogers-
ville, Madawaska, Codroy, Avalon, and oth-
ers. Liaison was maintained with the National
Energy Board, and evaluation of the Q and M
pipeline environmental maps was conducted
and coordinated. A bulletin Possible impacts
of pipeline construction on farmland was
completed.

Cartography. A manual Screens for The-
matic Map Production was completed and
distributed to all survey units. Semicontrolled
photomosaic maps were completed for
Warner County and Melville sheet; this is a
new product line. Displays were prepared for
Soil Conservation and Food Dialogue meet-
ings. Maps completed were: soils 52, special
projects 14, miscellaneous LRRI 114, other
branches 73, other departments 11. The
CanSIS cartographic file equipment saw 196
maps added and processed; 1050 plots were
completed, of which 25% were requested by
other agencies.

In the Canada Land Inventory and North-
ern Land Use information on projects carried
out on behalf of Department of Environment,
103 maps were completed.

Soil classification

The soil classification program is directed
to research relating to organic and mineral
soils and soil-water problems. A new electro-
magnetic method for measurement of water
content of soils was developed and is to be
funded for production as a commercial
instrument.

Organic soil characterization and classifi-
cation. The project leader completed a year of
transfer work in France where he made
progress in the botanical and micromorpho-
logical characterization of peat materials.
These techniques as well as physical and
chemical methods are being used in a detailed
characterization study of a wide range of
organic soil materials from different areas of
Canada. Results of this study contribute to
the development of improved criteria for
differentiating, classifying, and evaluating the
agricultural potential of organic soil types.
Cooperative studies with the Saint- Jean Re-
search Station, the Chemistry and Biology
Research Institute (CBRI), and the Quebec
Department of Agriculture are on schedule,
and two joint papers with CBRI were pub-
lished on factors affecting the subsidence of
organic soils.

Mineral soil characterization and classifi-
cation. Two papers were prepared on the
evaluation of criteria for estimating illuvial
clay in the B horizons of Canadian soils. They
show that refinements are needed in both field
and micromorphological procedures for esti-
mating clay translocation. A paper published
on the classification of sandy soils in New
Brunswick showed that nearly all of them are
Podzolic soils and that their B horizons are
markedly enriched in clay. Two papers were
published on the properties and genesis of
Podzolic soils with ortstein. Energy dispensive
X-ray microanalysis shows that the cementing
material of ortstein is a complex of humified
organic matter with aluminum or with alumi-
num and iron. Similar work with the strongly
cemented duric horizons from British Colum-
bia indicated that mixtures of amorphous
aluminum, silica, humus, and iron probably
were the cementing agents. A report summa-
rizing information on background levels of
minor elements in Canadian soils was pub-
lished and two scientific papers were prepared
from the material. Work on the development
of a procedure for checking the reliability of
classification of soils in map units is ahead of

208

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

schedule and preliminary field testing has
been done. Drafts have been prepared of
reports on a system of interpreting soil-survey
information for engineering uses of soils, and
on the application of this system to the
Nepean-Gloucester area.

Soil water and structure. Four soils of
differing texture and structure were selected
and sampled to depths of 1.5 m for general
characterization and for detailed studies of
porosity - structure - water relationships.
Monthly observations of macrostructure re-
vealed no significant seasonal changes. De-
tailed laboratory studies of structure - hy-
draulic conductivity relationships are in
progress. Good progress was made in the
development of time domain reflectrometry
(TDR) as a rapid, convenient technique for
measuring soil water in the field. Three papers
were published on the theory and application
of the technique and papers were presented on
it at three scientific conferences. Refinements
of the technique are in progress.

Land use and evaluation

Land use and evaluation is a new program
in the Institute directed to the development of
national systems for integrating and interpret-
ing soil, climate, landform, agronomic, and
economic data for evaluating the production
potential of land for various alternative
agricultural uses. The initial phase of the
program efforts has been directed at research
and development of methodology and the
establishment of systems for managing and
interpreting the extensive data that are re-
quired for the prediction of potential returns
from a given tract of land. Activities and
progress within each of the four project areas
is reported as follows.

Soil information systems. A number of
improvements were made in the computer
system, for retrieval and storage of soil-map
information and for handling of productivity
and related data for the performance-man-
agement file, constituting a major step toward
the development of a fully operational com-
puterized soil-map system. In this regard
work was completed on procedures for pro-
ducing derived maps and for computerized
map symbol replacement. In addition, pro-
grams and methodology for production of
extended legends, increasing matrix size for
data storage, and logging map data were
begun. The Caledit software package was

evaluated and preliminary work was done on
data exchange formats with other agencies.

In the data management system a number
of improvements were made including rou-
tines for file management, and data conver-
sions with FITSOL (Europe). Initial work
was started on development of multifile
capacity, point in polygon, improved data
output programs, and other aspects of data
management. A manual for the CanSIS
performance-management file is being printed
to provide guidance on the operation and use
of the system.

Data exchange with France, Belgium, and
a number of African countries has continued.

Crop production potentials. Climate data
compilation required for use in mapping the
Canadian Great Plains region was completed
and preparation of 1:1 million scale maps was
initiated.

Phenological crop-yield models have been
developed for spring wheat, maize, soybeans,
potatoes, and phaseolus beans.

A data bank of actual crop yields from crop
reporting districts has been assembled and
linked to the Soils of Canada map (1:5
million).

Three papers on soil-water research and
one review article on soil-moisture research in
Canada were prepared. Preliminary equations
on 1/3 and 15 bar moisture contents were
developed.

Resource protection. A report on the types
and extent of soil degradation in Canada has
been prepared as a base for work planning.
First draft guidelines for agricultural land
management to minimize Great Lakes pollu-
tion have been prepared. Studies on the effect
of pipeline construction on soils were extended
to include physical compaction.

A computer technique for mapping soil-
erosion susceptibility was completed. Initial
work to assess the effect of cropping practices
on soil degradation, field monitoring of ero-
sion in the Peace River area, and effect of tile
drainage on water tables in the South Nation
River drainage basin has begun. Monitoring
of manure storage and of manure and fertil-
izer applications was continued.

Land use and socioeconomic evaluation. A
data base for estimating land-production
potential has been established, Canadian
production potential for five crops has been
determined, and a first draft of a report to the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

209

has been completed. Work has been started
on modeling the distribution of agriculture
relative to climatic and soil resources. A land-
resources evaluation report for Nova Scotia
has been completed. Analysis of data for land-
use inventories in the Ottawa Carleton and
Melville map areas has been summarized.

Agrometeorology

Agrometeorology is concerned with the
interaction of hydrometeorological factors
and soils as they affect agriculture and food
supply. Discovery and definition of these
relationships and application of this informa-
tion toward more effective land use and crop
production are of primary concern. Progress
reported for 1979 is as follows.

Climate. Development of the FAO crop-
productivity model for assessing the agrocli-
matic suitability of wheat, corn, soybeans,
potatoes, and phaseolus beans was completed
for Canada. Mapping of the various suitabil-
ity ranges for these crops was started. Appli-
cation of the crop suitability estimates for
determining the potential productivity for
these crops was initiated and the required
programs were developed.

Applications. An assessment of climatic
resources in the Maritimes undertaken coop-
eratively by LRRI and the Policy, Planning,
and Economics Branch for a land-evaluation
study was completed.

Data from 200 meteorology stations were
used to develop climatic models for soil-
moisture reserves, grasshopper surveys, and
other service requests.

The technique developed to study the
periods and climatic factors affecting alfalfa
winter survival was applied to spring wheat
and the results were documented.

The first draft of a report on soil tempera-
tures and its implications requested by La
Commission a" Agrométéorologie du Québec
has been completed.

Crop information. Selection and evaluation
of crop models suitable for measuring crop
production using "real time" weather and
crop conditions data for estimating crop yields
in Canada and the USSR was undertaken

toward development of a crop information
system. The suitability of LANDSAT imag-
ery for assessing crop conditions was evalu-
ated for test areas in Western Canada (spring
wheat) and in Kansas (winter wheat). Esti-
mates of yields of spring wheat and winter
wheat were made for crop districts in Western
Canada and in Russia using generation I
regression models for evaluation against crop
reports.

Evaluation of the components required for
development of a pilot crop information
system has been completed, and a proposal
has been submitted for Departmental consid-
eration.

The high-resolution field spectroscopy
study carried on from 1975 to 1978 to
determine spectral characteristics of various
crops was completed and the results were
published.

Crops and weather systems. The effects of
weather factors on corn growth in the field
were monitored with a complete set of grow-
ing-season biological and environmental data
obtained for a corn crop. Net assimilation and
transpiration rates were obtained with leaf
chambers throughout the growing period.

New devices to provide measurements of
percentage ground cover, leaf wetness, and
diffuse radiation were respectively completed,
built, and designed and built. A microproces-
sor system was assembled and programmed to
measure soil moisture using the TDR tech-
nique.

A technique to determine the importance of
various phases of wheat growth on final yield
was published. A detailed model of soil-water
extraction by plants was developed and incor-
porated into a forage dry matter model and a
spring wheat yield and protein content model.
The latter model is currently in the process of
being used to evaluate the annual variations
in field and protein content of spring wheat in
Western Canada.

A computer program implementing the
Markov chain modeling procedure used for
workday probability estimation was com-
pleted. Development and testing of a nonlin-
ear diffusion model for corn root density as a
function of time was undertaken, and the
results were documented.

210

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Baier, W. 1979. Note on the terminology of crop-
weather models. Agric. Meteorol. 20:137-145.

Bowman, W. S.; Faye, G. H.; Sutarno, R.;
McKeague, J. A.; Kodama, H. 1979. New
CCRMP reference soils SO-1 to SO-4. Geos-
tandards Newsl. 3:109-113.

Brach, E. J.; Mack, A. R.; Rao, V. R. 1979.
Normalization of radiance data for studying
crop spectra over time with a mobile field
spectra radiometer. Can. J. Remote Sensing

5:33-42.

Chong, C; Desjardins, R. L.; Lin, C. S. 1979.
Changes in water and carbohydrate status of
three nursery species in containers during
overwinter storage in three environments. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:747-755.

DeJong, E.; Ballantyne, A. K.; Cameron, D. R.;
Read, D. W. 1979. Measurement of apparent
electrical conductivity of soils by an electro-
magnetic induction probe to aid salinity sur-
veys. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43:810-812.

DeJong, R.; Best, K. F. 1979. The effect of soil
water potential, temperature and seedling
depth on seedling emergence of wheat. Can. J.
Soil Sci. 59:259-264.

Dumanski, J.; Kloosterman, B. 1979. Information
systems. Encycl. Earth Sci. 12:237-240.

Dumanski, J.; Marshall, L. B.; Huffman, E. C.
1979. Soil capability analysis for regional land
use planning — a study of the Ottawa urban
fringe. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:363-379.

Dyer, J. A.; Baier, W. 1979. Weather-based estima-
tion of field workdays in fall. Can. Agric. Eng.,
Dec.

Dyer, J. A.; Baier, W. 1979. An index for soil
moisture drying patterns. Can. Agric. Eng.,
Dec.

Hayhoe, H. N. 1979. Numerical study of quasi-
analytic and finite-difference solutions of the
soil-water transfer equation - response. Soil
Sci. 127:189-190.

Keng, J. C. W.; Scott, T. W.; Lugo-Lopez, M. A.
1979. Water fertilizer management with drip
irrigation in highly weathered tropical soils.
Agron. J. 71:971-980.

Mathur, S. P.; Hamilton, H. A.; Lévesque, M.
1979. The mitigating effect of residual fertil-
izer copper on the decomposition of an organic
soil in situ. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43:200-203.

Mathur, S. P.; Lévesque, M.; Desjardins, J. D.
1979. The relative immobility of fertilizer and
native copper in an organic soil under field
conditions. Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 11:207-
215.

McKeague, J. A.; Wolynetz, M. S. 1979. Stron-
tium-calcium relationship in Canadian soils.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:445-449.

Miles, N. M.; Wang, C; McKeague, J. A. 1979.
Chemical and clay mineralogical properties of
ortstein soils from the Maritime provinces.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:287-299.

Ouellet, C. E. 1979. Les enquêtes sur les plantes en
agrométéorologie. Can. Agric. 24(2): 14- 16.

Rao, V. R.; Brach, E. J.; Mack, A. R. 1979. Effect
of surface winds on the spectral signatures of
crops. Agron. J. 71:515-518.

Rao, V. R.; Brach, E. J.; Mack, A. R. 1979.
Bidirectional reflectance of crops and the soil
contribution. Remote Sensing Environ. 8:115-
125.

Schnitzer, M.; Lévesque, M. 1979. Electron spin
resonance as a guide to the degree of humifi-
cation of peat. Soil Sci. 1 27: 1 40- 1 45.

Tinker, R. W.; Brach, E. J.; LeCroix, L. J.; Mack,
A. R.; Poushinsky, G. 1979. Classification of
land use and crop maturity, types and disease
status by remote reflectance measurements.
Agron. J. 71:993-1000.

Topp, G. C; Zebchuk, W. D. 1979. The determina-
tion of soil-water desorption curves for soil
cores. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:19-26.

Wall, G. J.; Dickinson, W. T.; van Vliet, L. J. P.
1979. Agricultural sources of fluvial suspended
sediments. Prog. Water Technol. 1 1:481-499.

Miscellaneous

Acton, D. F. 1979. Environmental impact state-
ment for a uranium refinery in Corman Park
R.M., Saskatchewan. A compendium of briefs
presented to the Environmental Assessment
Pannel Uranium Refinery, Corman Park,
R.M. Saskatchewan, Environmental Assess-
ment Review, Government of Canada, pp. 1-8.

Arnold, J. B.; Wall, G.; Moore, N.; Baldwin, C. S.
1979. Soil erosion causes and effects. Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Agdex 572.
3 pp.

Baier, W. 1979. All India co-ordinated research
project for dryland agriculture: proposed agro-
meteorology program. Report prepared as part
of a short-term assignment (13 Oct. - 25 Nov.
1978) under the ICAR all India co-ordinated
research project for dryland agriculture in
collaboration with Government of Canada. 31
pp.

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

211

Baier, W. 1979. Planning for the future: agricul-
tural meteorology. Report prepared for the
Commission for Agricultural Meteorology.
Presented to CAgM-VII, Sofia, Sept. 1979. 12
pp.

Baier, W. 1979. WMO-CAgM Circ. Lett. No. 11
(3 May 1979). 6 pp.

Baier, W.; Dyer, J. A.; Sharp, W. R. 1979. The
versatile soil moisture budget. Agrometeorol-
ogy Section, Land Resource Research Insti-
tute, Agriculture Canada. Tech. Bull. 87. 52
pp.

Baier, W.; Edey, S. N. 1979. Current activities in
agrometeorology. Agrometeorology Section,
Land Resource Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. Misc. Bull. 1 1. 30 pp.

Baier, W.; Mack, A. R.; Shields, J. A. 1979. Crop
information systems. Proc. Expert Comm. Soil
Surv., Ottawa, Mar. 20-23. pp. 50-60.

Bowman, W. S.; Faye, G. H.; Sutarno, R.;
McKeague, J. A.; Kodama, H. 1979. Soil
samples SO-1, SO-2, SO-3 and SO-4— certi-
fied reference materials. Energy Mines and
Resources Canada. CAN MET Rep. 79-3. 32
pp.

Bunn, F. E.; Langley, E.; Thirkettle, F. W.; Mack,
A. R.; Kasvard, T. 1978. Digital correction of
the hot spot in aerial visible infrared photogra-
phy remote sensing. Proc. 5th Can. Symp.
Remote Sensing, Victoria, B.C. pp. 226-234.

Canada Soil Survey Committee. 1978. The Cana-
dian system of soil classification. Agric. Can.
Publ. 1646. 164 pp.

Coote, D. R. 1979. Soil degradation in Canada —
Summary discussions and research needs.
Minutes Expert Comm. Soil Surv., Ottawa,
20-23 Mar. 1979. pp. 37-45.

Coote, D. R.; DeHaan, R. 1978. Agricultural
watershed overview data analysis and extrapo-
lation; final report of Project IB, agricultural
watershed studies, Task C — Canada, PLU-
ARG, IJC, Windsor, Ont. 79 pp.

Coote, D. R.; Hore, F. R. 1978. Pollution potential
of cattle feedlots and manure storages in the
Canadian Great Lakes Basin, final report,
agriculture watershed studies, Task C — Can-
ada, International reference group on Great
Lakes pollution from land use activities, IJC,
Windsor, Ont. 131 pp.

Coote, D. R.; MacDonald, E. M.; DeHaan, R.

1978. Relationships between agricultural land
and water quality. Best management practices
for agriculture and silviculture. 10th Annu.
Cornell Univ. Conf., Rochester, N.Y., 26-28
Apr. Ann Arbor Sci. pp. 79-92.

Crown, P.; Mack, A. R. 1978. Proc. 7th Meet,
agriculture working group of the Canadian
Advisory Committee on Remote Sensing.
Johnson Space Center, NASA, Houston,
Texas, Oct. 1978. Land Resource Research
Institute, Agriculture Canada. 42 pp.

Day, J. H. 1979. Peat testing manual. Editorial
Committee. J. H. Day, P. J. Rennie, W.
Stanck, G. P. Raymond, National Research
Council of Canada, Associate Committee on
Geotechnical Research, Ottawa. Tech. Memo.
No. 125. 193 pp.

Day, J. H., editor. 1979. Minutes 1st Annu. Meet.
Expert Comm. Soil Surv., Ottawa. Land Re-
source Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. 162 pp.

Desjardins, R. L. 1979. Book review on "Environ-
mental effects on crop Physiology". Atmo-
sphere 17(4):336-337.

Dickinson, W. T.; Wall, G. J. 1979. A perspective
of soil erosion and fluvial sedimentation. Soil
erosion workshop, Nova Scotia Agricultural
College, Truro, N.S. 72 pp.

Draper, D. W.; Robinson, J. B.; Coote, D. W. 1978.
Estimation and management of the contri-
bution by manure from livestock in the Ontario
Great Lakes Basin to the phosphor loading of
the Great Lakes. Best management practices
for agriculture and silviculture. Proc. 10th
Annu. Cornell Univ. Conf., Rochester, N.Y.,
26-28 Apr. Ann Arbor Sci. pp. 159-174.

Dumanski, J. 1979. Soils and land use of the
Ottawa urban fringe. Guidebook. Tour 3, Soil
Conservation Society of America. Reg. Munie.
Ottawa-Carleton. 37 pp.

Dùmanski, J. 1979. Land evaluation for soil survey.
Minutes 1st Annu. Meet. Expert Comm. Soil
Surv., Ottawa. Land Resource Research Insti-
tute, Agriculture Canada, pp. 61-64.

Dyer, J. A.; Bootsma, A. 1979. Harvesting hours
for small grain cereals in the Atlantic Prov-
inces. Agrometeorology Section, Land Re-
source Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. Misc. Bull. 12. 33 pp.

Green, A. J.; Lord, T. M. 1979. Soils of the
Princeton area of British Columbia. British
Columbia Soil Survey, Land Resource Re-
search Institute, Agriculture Canada. Report
No. 14. 134 pp.

Huffman, E. C. 1979. Agricultural land use systems
mapping. Minutes 1st Annu. Meet. Expert
Comm. Soil Surv., Ottawa. Land Resource
Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, pp.
110-121.

212

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Jones, R. K., editor. 1978. Proc. Soil Moisture
Regime workshop. Ontario Institute of Pedol-
ogy, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont. 126
pp.

Kasvand, T.; Mack, A. R.; Merrith, C. 1978.
Reduction of the uneven luminosity associated
with high altitude wide-angle aerial color
photographs. Proc. Can. Symp. Remote Sens-
ing, Victoria, B.C. pp. 339-407.

Lok, S. C; Dyer, J. A.; MacDonald, K. B. 1979.
The influence of climate upon agricultural
activities related to crop production in Nova
Scotia. Agrometeorology Section, Land Re-
source Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. Intern. Rep. No. 36. 29 pp.

Mack, A. R. 1978. Report of the Working Group
on Agriculture. 1978 Rep. Can. Advis. Comm.
Remote Sensing, Energy Mines and Resources,
pp. 26-33.

Mack, A. R.; Shields, J. A. 1979. Thematic digital
terrain maps (DTM) for crop classification
analysis of Landsat data. Proc. Semin. Digital
Terrain Models, University of Guelph, Guelph,
Ont., 9-11 Oct.

Mapping System, Working Group. 1979. A pro-
posed soil mapping system for Canada. Can.
Expert Comm. Soil Surv., Ottawa. Land Re-
source Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. 60 pp.

McKeague, J. A., editor. 1978. Manual of soil
sampling and methods of analysis. 2nd ed.
Prepared by Subcommittee on methods of
analysis, Can. Soil Surv. Comm., Can. Soc.
Soil Sci. 212 pp.

McKeague, J. A.; Desjardins, J. G.; Wolynetz, M.
S. 1979. Minor elements in Canadian soils.
Land Resource Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada. LRRI No. 27. 75 pp.

McKeague, J. A.; Ross, G. J.; Gamble, D. S. 1978.
Properties, criteria of classification and con-
cepts of genesis of Podzolic soils in Canada. In
Quaternary soils, Geolog. Abstr. Norwich,
Eng. pp. 27-60.

McKeague, J. A.; Sheldrick, B. H.; Desjardins, J.
G. 1978. Compilation of data for CSSC refer-
ence soil samples. Soil Research Institute,
Ottawa, Ont. 14 pp., 14 tables.

McKeague, J. A.; Stobbe, P. C. 1978. History of
soil survey in Canada, 1914-1975. Agric. Can.
Hist. Ser. 11. 30 pp.

Nowland, J. L. 1979. Progress report — soil water
working group. Minutes 1st Annu. Meet.
Expert Comm. Soil Surv., Ottawa. Land Re-
source Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada, pp. 125-162.

Nowland, J. L.; McKeague, J. A. 1977. Canada's
limited agricultural land resource. In Manag-
ing Canada's renewable resources. R. P. Krue-
ger and B. Mitchell, eds. Methuen, Toronto,
pp. 109-118.

Ouellet, C. E. 1979. Analysis of an alfalfa winter
injury survey. Forage Notes 24( 1 ): 1 2- 1 6.

Ouellet, C. E. 1979. Survey report on the winter's
survival of alfalfa (1978). Agrometeorology
Section, Land Resource Research Institute,
Agriculture Canada. Misc. Bull. 1 1. 20 pp.

Ouellet, C. E. 1979. Alfalfa winter-kill studies.
News and Features Release. 15 June 1979. pp.
7-8.

Padbury, G. A.; Head, W. K.; Souster, W. E. 1978.
Biophysical resource inventory of the Prince
Albert National Park Saskatchewan. Sask.
Inst. Pedol. Publ. S 185. 560 pp., 1 map.

Shields, J. A. 1979. Possible impact of pipeline
construction on farmland. Land Resource Re-
search Institute, Agriculture Canada. 12 pp.

Soil Conservation Committee, G. J. Wall, editor.
1979. Soil erosion on agricultural land in
Canada. Agricultural Institute of Canada,
Ottawa, Ont. 16 pp.

Stewart, D. W. 1979. Crop growth - weather
interactions. Proc. workshop on systems analy-
sis and mathematical modelling. Engineering
and Statistical Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada, Ottawa, 9-1 1 Apr. pp. 57-58.

Stewart, R. B. 1979. The FAO agro-ecological
zones project: methodology for Canada. Mi-
nutes 1st Annu. Meet. Expert Comm. Soil
Surv., Ottawa. Land Resource Research Insti-
tute, Agriculture Canada, pp. 102-1 10.

Van Vliet, L. J. P. 1979. Soil erosion in British
Columbia's Peace River region. Province of
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture,
Victoria, B.C. 5 pp.

Webb, K. T., editor. 1979. Proc. soil erosion
workshop. Atlantic Provinces Soils Institute,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.
226 pp.

Williams, G. D. V. 1979. Canadian prairie cereal
crop production 1962-77. Proc. crop modelling
workshop, Columbia, Mo., 3-5 Oct. 1977. 24
pp.

Woodrow, E. F.; Schori, A.; Grunler, G. M. 1979.
Soils of the Codroy area, Newfoundland. Land
Resource Research Institute, Agriculture
Canada, St. Johns.

LAND RESOURCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

213

Research Institute
London, Ontario

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Library Area Coordinator (Ontario)

Librarian

Herbicides and Growth Regulators

T. T. Lee, B.Sc, Ph.D.

E. B. Roslycky, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Plant biochemistry and tissue
culture
Microbiology

Mode of Action of Selected and Potential Insect-Control Agents

W. Chefurka, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. J. Bond, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

T. Dumas, D.C.E., M.Sc

R. M. Krupka, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

D. G. R. McLeod, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

T. Nagai, M.E., M.Sc, D.Sc

J. R. Robinson, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D., F.C.I.C.

A. N. Starratt, B.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C.

R. W. Steele, B.Sc, Ph.D.

A. Vardanis, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Fumigation: toxicology

Analytical chemistry

Biochemistry

Physiology

Neurophysiology

Chemistry: radioisotopes and mass

spectrometry
Chemistry: attractants and

repellents
Neurochemistry
Biochemistry

Soil Insecticide Behavior

C. R. Harris, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
B. T. Bowman, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LONDON, ONT.

Insect toxicology

Soil physical chemistry

215

R. A. Chapman, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.

J. R. W. Miles, B.Sc.

H. H. Svec, Dipl. Agr.

A. D. Tomlin, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

C. M. Tu, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Analytical organic chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Applied entomology
Pesticide ecology
Microbiology

Mode of Action of Selected and Potential Plant-Pathogen Control Agents

E. W. B. Ward, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. M. Miller, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. Lazarovits, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. Stoessl, B.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C.

G. D. Thorn, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D., F.C.I.C.
G. A. White, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Plant pathology: phytoalexins
Biophysical chemistry: fungicide

selectivity
Plant pathology: fungicides
Organic chemistry: phytoalexins

and toxins
Organic chemistry: fungicides
Biochemistry: fungicides

Departure

E. Y. Spencer, B.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C.

Retired 26 October 1979

Special Assignment Program

VISITING SCIENTISTS

P. Stôssel, Licenciate, Ph.D., 1978-
P. Ahmad, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D., 1979-

Plant pathology: phytoalexins
Membrane biochemistry

Graduate students

A. B. Broadbent, B.Sc (Hon.), M.Sc. 1977-
M. A. J. Finkelman, B.Sc, ME.Sc, 1979-

Pesticide ecology
Biochemistry

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

216

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

This report summarizes highlights of research carried out during 1979 at the London
Research Institute in support of the Departmental objectives in environmental quality and crop
protection. The Institute was established in 1951 to investigate the problems created by the
introduction of synthetic organic pesticides. Present research programs reflect the current
health and environmental concerns regarding the agricultural use of pesticides by
concentrating effort in the areas of integrated pest management and environmental toxicology.

The integrated pest management (IPM) objective comprises four research activities. Pest
management research is aimed at developing IPM procedures for agriculturally economically
important insect pests involving the minimum use of pesticides. Research in the stored products
area is aimed at environmental and insect resistance problems and the development of more
efficient fumigation procedures leading to minimum pesticide residues. Activity three is
concerned with research on alternative pest control strategies. Basic studies on insects are
aimed at identifying specific areas for attack so that pest control in the future will not rely upon
the use of broad-spectrum toxicants. Research on natural plant defense mechanisms in disease
resistant and susceptible agriculturally important crops has the aim of utilizing natural defense
mechanisms by chemical manipulation or in the breeding of resistant varieties. The last activity
under the IPM objective is concerned with research on systemic fungicides. Studies are carried
out on the efficacy of systemic fungicides and the plant pathological, biochemical, biophysical,
and structural parameters involved in fungicide activity and resistance.

Research on environmental toxicology has three areas of activity. The first area of work is
on the effect of pesticides on nontarget soil invertebrates and agriculturally important soil
microorganisms. The second activity relates to the development of pesticide methodology
required to determine the behavior, persistence, and environmental fate of pesticides. The last
activity is concerned with establishing the mode of action of growth regulators and toxicants by
carrying out studies in insects and plants related to vital processes involved in growth and
development.

Dr. E. Y. Spencer retired in October 1979, after 16 yr as Director at London.

This report records only the highlights of our accomplishments for 1979; more detailed
information can be obtained from the publication titles listed at the end of this report. Copies
of this report, reprints of publications, and further information are available on request from
the Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, University Sub-Post Office, London, Ont. N6A
5B7.

H. V. Morley
Director

INTEGRATED PEST
MANAGEMENT

Pest management

The sterile adult release program for suc-
cessful integrated control of the onion maggot
requires large-scale rearing of the insect.
Field rearing offers obvious economic advan-
tages over laboratory rearing. Experiments in
overwinter rearing of the onion maggot in the
field yielded over 2 million pupae from a
relatively small area. Attempts to rear two
further generations over the summer resulted
in approximately 90% reduction in yield of
pupae due to natural biological control from

predators and parasites. Twenty-two arthro-
pod predators and four parasites have so far
been identified together with the stage in the
onion maggot life cycle which they attacked.
One of the parasitic Hymenoptera was found
to be particularly voracious, and rearing
techniques were devised for mass production
in the laboratory with a view to carrying out
biological control experiments in the Thed-
ford Marsh. Other field studies were carried
out on the chemical control of the cabbage
maggot, Colorado potato beetle, tomato horn-
worm, and onion maggot in microplots at the
Institute field station, with promising results.
Further crop loss studies were conducted on
potatoes and onions at the Thedford Marsh.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LONDON, ONT.

217

Baseline toxicity data were obtained for
some organochlorine, organophosphorus, car-
bamate, and pyrethroid insecticides on sus-
ceptible strains of carrot rust fly; onion,
cabbage, and seedcorn maggots; darksided
cutworm; and tomato hornworm. Selection of
parathion-, carbofuran-, and fonofos-resistant
strains of the onion maggot was continued.
Tests on a strain of Colorado potato beetle
from Sherbrooke, Que., indicated that it was
highly resistant to carbofuran. In addition, it
was shown that the strain was resistant to
other organophosphorus, carbamate, and cy-
clodiene insecticides currently recommended
for control. It was shown, however, still to be
susceptible to the synthetic pyrethroid insecti-
cides. Other results on a DDT-resistant strain
of Colorado potato beetle from Leamington,
Ont., indicated that cross-resistance extended
to the pyrethroid insecticides. Emerging
resistance problems were further documented
in a cooperative study with the University of
Guelph. It was shown that house flies col-
lected from a dairy operation with a long
history of natural pyrethrin use rapidly
developed resistance to the synthetic pyre-
throid insecticides. One strain of house fly
showed signs of resistance to every organo-
chlorine, organophosphorus, carbamate, and
pyrethroid insecticide tested.

Pest monitoring is an essential part of an
integrated control program and studies on the
isolation, purification, and identification of
pheromones for use in traps continued. Ex-
tracts were prepared from abdominal tips of
female tomato hornworm moths. Electroan-
tennogram (EAG) responses to a number of
synthetic substances and to ether extracts of
female abdominal tips were determined.
Attempts to trap male moths in the field using
extracts, synthetic chemicals, or even virgin
females failed. The trap design that worked
well for the tobacco hornworm did not appear
to work for the tomato hornworm. Several
synthetic insect sex pheromones were purified
and used to monitor populations of the
European corn borer, fall armyworm, and
black cutworm. Work on the development of a
predictive model for the emergence of over-
wintered European corn borers was com-
pleted. (Z)-7-Dodecenol and mixtures of this
compound with other C12 and C14 alcohols and
acetates caught significant numbers of male
white cutworm moths when tested in Quebec
in a cooperative venture with L'Assomption.
Attempts to detect the pheromone in labora-
tory-reared insects, however, failed.

A basic requirement to the effective use of
pheromones is an understanding of phero-
mone reception systems in the insects. Elec-
trophysiological studies on the European corn
borer response to the sex pheromones (Z)-
and (E)-\ 1-tetradecenyl acetates was contin-
ued. A new more reliable EAG method was
developed based on a constant speed air flow
rather than the pheromone puffing method.
Experiments with a nerve impulse blocking
agent, tetradoxin, established that stimuli are
conducted actively in the afferent neuron in
the insect antenna whereas the initial depolar-
ization at a dendritic region of the receptor
cell seemed to spread passively.

Stored products

Studies in the area of stored products-
fumigant research are being carried out to
overcome problems caused by resistance of
insects to the few fumigants still available for
commercial use. Increasing concerns over the
toxicological properties of many of the older
fumigants has led to the need for research on
integrated methods of control. Fumigation of
the granary weevil and confused flour beetle
with 14C-methyl bromide showed that initially
the major reaction product formed was
S'-methylglutathione with subsequent forma-
tion of S-methylcysteine. In resistant insects
an additional product was formed which has
not yet been identified. These preliminary
results indicated that resistant insects detox-
ify larger amounts of methyl bromide than
the nonresistant strains and that glutathione
conjugation is the main detoxification path-
way.

Controlled atmosphere studies were contin-
ued on the granary weevil and confused flour
beetle with regard to resistance to carbon
dioxide. It was shown that the degree of
resistance leveled off to about three times
normal, with selected insects being able to
withstand levels of 42% and 75% carbon
dioxide for 40 and 15 days, respectively. The
characteristics of the insect that enable them
to develop resistance to C02 are being investi-
gated. Desorption studies of l4C-ethylene
dibromide from wheat showed that losses of
residual fumigant were closely related to
humidity levels during the aeration period.
Greatest desorption occurred at high humid-
ity and low temperature. Experiments on
phosphine sorption and desorption from wheat
or corn showed that desorption occurred
rapidly for the first 2-3 days and then

218

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

declined slowly, but detectable levels were
still present after 220 days.

Alternative pest control strategies

Plant diseases. Research in this area is
directed toward obtaining an appreciation of
the basic processes involved in plant-pathogen
interactions in resistant and susceptible crops.
The potential benefits of these studies would
be the ability to activate the plants' natural
defense mechanisms and to provide guidelines
for breeding for genetic resistance.

In the continuing studies on new experi-
mental fungicides, the drop diffusate tech-
nique, originally designed to screen soybeans
for resistance to Phytophthora megasperma
(PMS), was successfully adapted for use as an
assay system for evaluating systemicity and
efficiency of control of fungicides against
spore-producing fungal pathogens. The modi-
fication resulted in a rapid, highly reproduc-
ible, economical assay system. Using this
assay procedure, it was shown that in the
presence of Ridomil®, soybean cultivars pro-
duced lesions characteristic of an incompati-
ble reaction when inoculated with a compati-
ble race. This response was accompanied by
the production of the phytoalexin glyceollin,
an indication that certain systemic fungicides,
e.g. Ridomil®, may owe their activity to their
ability to stimulate natural plant defense
mechanisms. Methods were developed for the
isolation of Ridomil® from plant tissue and its
determination by bioassay. In vitro assays
demonstrated that Ridomil® and other acylal-
anines had little effect on spore germination
and germ tube growth but were highly effec-
tive against mycelial growth. In a cooperative
venture with Harrow and Ridgetown (Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food), attempts
were made to incorporate Ridomil® directly
into the seed using polyethylene glycol as a
carrier. Test trials in the laboratory yielded
promising results but field trials at Ridgetown
established that efficiency of disease control
was inferior to simpler techniques.

Other studies have established that the
resistance of soybean hypocotyls to PMS
infection was eliminated by heat shock,
chloroform, or actinomycin D treatment. This
effect appeared to be accompanied by changes
in penetration and glyceollin production.
Extensive studies were carried out on the
differences in degree of resistance and suscep-
tibility of young and mature tissue of the
soybean hypocotyl to PMS infection. Results

obtained showed that soybean hypocotyls
became increasingly resistant to both compat-
ible and incompatible races of PMS with age.
Results obtained implicated the epidermal
cell layer as having the main burden for
prevention of parasitism at these mature sites.
In a collaborative project with Harrow the
zoospore-hypocotyl inoculation system was
used to investigate some aspects of the
genetics of resistance of soybeans to PMS.
Results obtained from 20 cultivars showed
that the gene for resistance and glyceollin
production in response to race 1 infection was
not influenced by other features of the ge-
nome. Preliminary results with the system
indicated that it would be a valuable tool for
genetic analysis of soybean resistance.

Research into the biosynthetic pathways of
phytoalexin production continued. Cultures of
Alternaria solani were shown to reduce the
phytoalexin lubimin to the less toxic 15-
dihydrolubimin. The fungus also induced the
formation in potatoes of the new stress
compound 2-epilubimin, which was subse-
quently converted to 2-epi-15-dihydrolubimin.
Experiments with potatoes and A. solani
confirmed that altersolanol A was enzymati-
cally converted to the microbial metabolite
macrosporin, an anthraquinone. The phytot-
oxic alternaric acid was not formed in in-
fected potato tissue in significant amounts and
neither stimulated nor suppressed phytoalexin
production in potatoes and peppers.

Insect pests. Research in this area is
directed toward gaining an understanding of
basic life processes in the insect so that
methods of selective, specific control can be
developed which do not rely upon pesticides
that are broad-spectrum poisons. An in vitro
assay for chitin biosynthesis was developed
and used to evaluate some established and
potential chitin-inhibiting compounds. In the
continuing study of the molting process, the
characterization of a unique epidermal cyclic
nucleotide-dependant protein kinase in insect
tissue was completed. This unique enzyme
was shown to be active only during the
molting period and thus provides a specific
target site for potential integrated control.
Preliminary findings with nematodes indi-
cated that a similar kinase was present. Work
on two cyclic AMP enzymes associated with
the flight muscles of insects continued and it
was shown that there are significant differ-
ences between the molecular properties of the
grasshopper and locust enzymes.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LONDON, ONT.

219

A detailed study was made of the effects of
various ion-pairing reagents in the reversed-
phase H PLC behavior of the insect neuro-
transmitter proctolin and other related myo-
genic peptides. Solvent systems were identi-
fied which enabled the resolution of proctolin
from pentapeptide analogues differing by only
a single amino acid unit. Proctolin was also
readily separated from its five possible dia-
stereoisomers. Improvements were made in
the isolation of proctolin and other myogenic
peptides from the cockroach by chromatogra-
phy on carboxymethyl cellulose. Homogen-
ates of both the hindgut and foregut of the
American cockroach were shown by ion-
exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and
electrophoresis to contain a wide spectrum of
enzymes which hydrolyzed proctolin into
physiologically inactive elements. HPLC
analysis demonstrated that proctolin disap-
pearance and the formation of arginine/
tyrosine paralleled the loss of activity in the
isolated hindgut. Three potential inhibitors of
proctolin receptors were tested but all showed
low activity.

Structure-activity studies on the uncoupling
of oxidative phosphorylation in insects by
several analogues of juvenile hormones (JH)
was completed. The effective uncoupling
concentration of JH I was reduced from about
400 nmol/mg protein to about 80 nmol/mg
protein. All other analogues were found to be
as active except for JH III, which continued
to be about five times less effective as an
uncoupling agent. Results indicated that
uncoupling was initiated after a critical
quantity had partitioned into the membrane.
Replacement of the ester group by a carboxyl
group did not alter potency but enhanced the
onset time of uncoupling.

Systemic fungicides

Ten new thiophene carboxamides were
prepared, many of which showed high inhib-
itory activity to carbathiin-resistant mutant
strains of corn smut. Good activity was also
shown in vivo against a range of carbathiin-
insensitive fungi including Phycomycetes sp.
Highest activity was shown by 5-amino-
3-methylthiophene-2-carboxanilide. The co-
operative project with the University of
California on the use of photoaffinity-labeled
carboxamides yielded exciting results. Use of
purified tritiated azido-carbathiin enabled the
location and identification of the polypeptides
responsible for carboxamide binding and

inhibitory activity in the succinate-ubiquinone
reductase complex (II). The site of action of
thenoyltrifluoroacetone was also identified
since it competes with carboxamide binding.
Thus, by use of this technique the site of
action of the agriculturally important fun-
gicide carbathiin (carboxin) has been estab-
lished.

The macroscope measurements on the root
system of corn was completed. This is proba-
bly the most comprehensive study of a single
root system published to date. It was shown
that 89% of the surface area resided in roots
of 0.2 mm diam or less, these presumably
being the roots mainly concerned in the
uptake of systemic fungicides and nutrients.
The inability of fine suspensions (gold sols)
and protein solutions to suffuse throughout
the xylem system indicated that barriers to
free passage in the xylem are more numerous
than previously recorded.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms

The assessment of the litter bag technique
for analyzing pesticide effects in soil was
virtually completed. Experiments using car-
bofuran with active ingredient at 11.2 kg/ha
in a cornfield demonstrated that millipedes
were an important factor in the corn leaf
reduction process. The collection of soil
arthropods was expanded from 2500 to 3300
slides and alcohol specimens. The majority of
these specimens were identified as to genus
and species with the help of the Biosystemat-
ics Research Institute. Thirty specimens were
donated to the Canadian National Collection
as new records for Canada or new species. A
comprehensive basic study on the biology and
fecundity of the manure worm, E. foetida,
was completed.

Studies on the isolation and evaluation of
thiram-resistant strains of Rhizobium japoni-
cum showed that the nitrogen-fixing activities
of 206 thiram-resistant cultures improved
greatly using the rhizobial nuclear con-
jugation technique. The nitrogen-fixing activ-
ities of 218 isolates of nonsymbiotic nitrogen
fixers in sandy soil were confirmed. Of partic-
ular interest was the observation that nitrogen
fixation by some fungi and actinomycetes
isolates was greater than that shown by
bacterial cultures. A study on the microbial
degradation of the newer pyrethroid insecti-
cides in sterilized and fresh mineral and

220

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

organic soils showed no long-term effect of
these materials on soil microbial populations.
Significant difference in persistence of the
pyrethroids between sterile and nonsterile
soils was observed. The order of increasing
resistance to microbial degradation in both
soil types was fenpropanate, cypermethrin,
permethrin, fenvalerate, and decamethrin.
Some pyrethroids were found to have antimi-
crobial properties and the fungitoxicity of five
pyrethroid insecticides against phytopatho-
genic fungi was determined.

Long-term studies carried out on her-
bicide-microflora interaction with paraquat
showed the stimulation of cellulose degrada-
tion by low levels of the herbicide. It was
shown that herbicide combinations were not
additive in their effects on nontarget orga-
nisms, some combinations being synergistic
and others inhibitory.

Environmental studies

Studies on the persistence of organophos-
phorus and carbamate insecticides in organic
soils showed that carbofuran, chlorpyrifos,
fonofos, and chlorfenvinphos were all less
persistent than ethion. Except for carbofuran,
which did not persist to the end of the growing
season, residues of the insecticides were
carried over to the next year. Residues did not
accumulate over a 3 yr period. Studies in the
field and laboratory identified oftanol as a
relatively persistent organophosphorus com-
pound likely to be found in crops, especially
when grown in sandy soils. The pyrethroid
fenvalerate was shown to persist in an organic
soil for over 2 yr.

Work on the relationship between insecti-
cide solubility in water and its bioactivity in
soil indicated that the more soluble the
insecticide, the less active it was in soil. Using
fensulfothion as a model compound predic-
tions were made regarding the bioactivity of
some of its derivatives based on solubility
data. Preliminary results have been promising
insofar as the relatively insoluble fensul-
fothion sulfide has been found to be very
active in soil.

The effect of metal ions on the degradation
(persistence) of parathion in soil showed that
iron and its hydrolysis products degraded
parathion to its oxon or to /7-nitrophenol, or
both. This effect was prevented by the pres-
ence of dissolved organic matter. Aluminum
chloride did not degrade parathion under
similar conditions. Work was completed on

the behavior of 12 insecticides in soil and
aqueous suspensions of soil and sediment as
well as their persistence in water. This work
provided a basis for predicting the behavior
and persistence of insecticides in the environ-
ment. A study of the microbial degradation of
fensulfothion, parathion, and carbofuran by
mixed cultures of soil organisms was com-
pleted. Fensulfothion and parathion were
rapidly converted to metabolites under reduc-
ing conditions whereas carbofuran was stable
under the same conditions.

The analyses of potatoes, onions, and
turnips for 0.01 ppm of carbofuran and its
metabolites by GC-MS with a selective ion
monitor detector was not possible without
clean-up, but suitable procedures were devel-
oped with minimum modification of the
procedure developed for crude extracts of less
difficult crops. The method was also adapted
for the analysis of carbaryl residues in pota-
toes. The analytical reproducibility obtained
by the GC-MS method permitted careful
examination of the severe losses encountered
by use of other analytical procedures. It was
shown that carbofuran at the 0.01 ppm level is
less stable to the acid-digestion procedure
than suggested in published work. Procedures
for the analysis of aldicarb, its sulfoxide, and
sulfone in soil at the 0.1 ppm level were
developed using HPLC. Carbofuran residues
in treated farm soils were analyzed and
persistence of granular carbofuran were com-
pared with ethion and fonofos residues from
seeding time to harvest. Results obtained
helped to explain the lesser efficiency of
carbofuran and its lack of persistence. A start
was made on disposal of pesticides and their
containers at the farm level. The retention of
pesticides in unrinsed containers was
determined.

Pesticide toxicity and mode of action

Results obtained with methoxychlor, di-
cofol, and DDT indicated that these were
general membrane poisons rather than spe-
cific neurotoxins as generally believed. The
toxic effect was related to the fluidity of the
lipid phase of the membrane and was sup-
ported by differences in behavior of the
pesticides. Methoxychlor and DDT were
shown to have a negligible effect on the
movement of potassium ions across red blood
cells where the lipid phase is rigid because of
the high cholesterol content. Dicofol, by
contrast, caused a significant increase in

RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LONDON, ONT.

221

permeability of the red blood cells to potas-
sium.

Work on the general analysis of the kinetics
of biological transport continued. The binding
of molecules related to choline was explored
in detail and led to a better understanding of
the nature of substrate and inhibitor com-
plexes with carriers. The experiments on this
system, and a new analysis of an exchange
transport system in mitochondria, showed
that fundamentally different mechanisms are
involved. The results obtained helped to
achieve the aim of selectively disrupting
transport in cell membranes by either revers-
ible or irreversible agents.

Studies on insecticide-plant interaction
showed that the carbamate insecticides car-
baryl and carbofuran had different effects in
corn and peas on the metabolism of indoleace-
tic acid (IAA) in vivo. Carbofuran and its
metabolites had a similar effect to that of
caffeic acid on the formation of bound IAA

and IAA degradation whereas carbaryl had a
different effect. The results showed that the
insecticides interfered with important meta-
bolic processes which control growth and
development of plants. Work with the impor-
tant herbicide glyphosate showed different
effects on chlorophyll synthesis and growth of
plants under normal growing conditions,
indicating a multiple inhibitory action in
plants. The inhibition of plant growth in the
dark or under light showed that glyphosate
was capable of controlling vegetative growth
both above and below ground. Tissue culture
experiments established that different species
of crop plants showed different degrees of
tolerance for glyphosate. It was shown that
IAA can partially reverse the glyphosate-
induced inhibition, suggesting a possible
interaction between glyphosate and the auxin-
type herbicides, such as 2,4-D. Glyphosate
was also shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of
certain phenolic plant constituents.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bond, E. J.; Buckland, C. T. 1979. Development of
resistance to carbon dioxide in the granary
weevil. J. Econ. Entomol. 72:770-771.

Bowman, T. B. 1979. Method of repeated additions
for generating pesticide adsorption-desorption
isotherm data. Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:435-437.

Bowman, B. T.; Sans, W. W. 1979. The aqueous
solubility of twenty-seven insecticides and
related compounds. J. Environ. Sci. Health B
14(6):625-634.

Broadbent, A. B.; Tomlin, A. D. 1978. Area-meter
measurement of leaf decomposition caused by
soil fauna. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont. 109:49-52.

Chapman, R. A.; Harris, C. R. 1979. The determi-
nation of residues of methomyl and oxamyl
and their oximes in crops by gas-liquid chro-
matography of oxime trimethylsilyl ethers. J.
Chromatogr. 171:249-262.

Chapman, R. A.; Harris, C. R. 1979. Determina-
tion of (R)- and (S)-epimers at C-l in residual
amounts of ( ± )-ns\/rûrt5'-permethrin and
cypermethrin by gas-liquid chromatogra-
phy. J. Chromatogr. 174:369-377.

Coxon, D. T.; Price, K. R.; Stothers, J. B.; Stoessl,
A. 1979. Cyclodehydroisolubimin: a new tricy-
clic sesquiterpene from potato tubers inocu-
lated with Phytophthora infestam. J. Chem.
Soc. Chem. Commun, pp. 347-349.

Dumas, T.; Bond, E. J. 1979. The relation of
temperature to ethylene dibromide desorption
from fumigated wheat. J. Agric. Food Chem.
27(6): 1206- 1209.

Devés, R.; Krupka, R. M. 1979. A simple experi-
mental approach to the determination of car-
rier transport parameters for unlabeled sub-
strate analogs. Biochim. Biophys. Acta
556:524-532.

Devés, R.; Krupka, R. M. 1979. A general kinetic
analysis of transport: Tests of the carrier model
based on predicted relations among experimen-
tal parameters. Biochim. Biophys. Acta
556:533-547.

Devés, R.; Krupka, R. M. 1979. The binding and
translocation steps in transport as related to
substrate structure. A study of the choline
carrier of erythrocytes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta
557:469-485.

Harris, C. R.; Svec, H. J.; Chapman, R. A. 1977.
The effectiveness and persistence of some
insecticides used for control of the variegated
cutworm attacking tomatoes in southwestern
Ontario. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont. 108:63-68.

Kashi, K. P.; Bond, E. J. 1979. Studies on isolation
and respiratory activity of the mitochondria of
Sitophilus granarius (L.). J. Stored Prod. Res.
15:17-24.

222

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Kinoshita, G. B.; Svec, H. J.; Harris, C. R.;
McEwen, F. L. 1979. Biology of the crucifer
flea beetle, Phyllotreta Cruciferae (Coleop-
tera: Chrysomelidae), in southwestern Ontario.
Can. Entomol. 111:1395-1407.

Lazarovits, G.; Bhullar, B. S.; Sugiyama, H. J.;
Higgins, V. J. 1979. Purification and partial
characterization of a glycoprotein toxin pro-
duced by Cladosporium fulvum. Phytopathol-
ogy 69:1062-1068.

Lazarovits, G.; Higgins, V. J. 1979. Biological
activity and specificity of a toxin produced by
Cladosporium fulvum. Phytopathology
69:1056-1061.

McLeod, D. G. R.; Ritchot, C; Nagai, T. 1979.
Occurrence of a two generation strain of the
European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepi-
doptera: Pyralidae) in Quebec. Can. Entomol.
111:233-236.

Miles, J. R. W.; Harris, C. R. 1979. Carbofuran
residues in organic soils in southwestern On-
tario 1977. J. Environ. Sci. Health B 14:655-
661.

Miles, J. R.; Moy, P. 1979. Degradation of endosul-
fan and its metabolites by a mixed culture of
soil microorganisms. Bull. Environ. Contam.
Toxicol. 23:13-19.

Miles, J. R. W.; Tu, C. M.; Harris, C. R. 1979.
Persistence of eight organophosphorus insecti-
cides in sterile and non-sterile mineral and
organic soils. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.
22(3):312-318.

Sears, M. K.; Chapman, R. A. 1979. Persistence
and movement of four insecticides applied to
turfgrass. J. Econ. Entomol. 72:272-274.

Starratt, A. N.; Brown, B. E. 1979. Analogs of the
insect myotropic peptide proctolin: synthesis
and structure-activity studies. Biochem. Bio-
phys. Res. Commun. 90: 1125-11 30.

Starratt, A. N.; Dahm, K. H.; Allen, N.; Hilde-
brand, J. B.; Payne, T. L.; Roller, H. 1979.
Bombykal, a sex pheromone of the sphinx
moth Manduca sexta. Z. Naturforsch. 34C:9-
12.

Steele, R. W.; Maneckjee, A. 1979. Toxicological
significance of acetylcholinesterase of the
housefly thorax. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol.

10:322-332.

Stoessl, A.; Stothers, J. B. 1979. The incorporation
of [ 1 ,2-l3C,] acetate into pisatin to establish the
biosynthesis of its polyketide moiety. Z. Natur-
forsch. C. 34:87-89.

Stoessl, A.; Unwin, C. H.; Stothers, J. B. 1979.
Metabolites of Alternaria solani Part V. Bio-
synthesis of altersolanol A and incorporation of
altersolanol A-'3CX into altersolanol B and
macrosporin. Tetrahedron Lett. 27:2481-2484.

Tomlin, A. D. 1979. The Apterygote insects (except
Collembola) of Canada. Sections 19, 21, 22,
23. In H. Danks, ed. Insects and related
arthropods of Canada. Mem. Entomol. Soc.
Can. 108. 573 pp.

Tomlin, A. D.; Nagy, B. 1978. First report of
Japygidae (Insecta: Duplura) for Ontario.
Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ont. 109:71-74.

Tu, C. M. 1979. Influence of pesticides on acetylene
reduction and growth of microorganisms in an
organic soil. J. Environ. Sci. Health B 14:617-
624.

Vardanis, A. 1979. Characteristics of the chitin-
synthesizing system from insect tissue. Bio-
chim. Biophys. Acta 588:142-147.

Miscellaneous

Broadbent, A. B.; Tomlin, A. D. 1978. The effect of
carbofuran on the rate of cornleaf decomposi-
tion in an Ontario cornfield soil. Proc. VI Soil
Microcommunities Conf., Syracuse, N.Y., Oct.
1978.

Broadbent, A. B.; Tomlin, A. D. 1979. Effects of
carbofuran on the soil microarthropod commu-
nity in a cornfield. Proc. VII Int. Soil Zool.
Colloq., Syracuse, N.Y.

Harris, C. R. 1979. Ontario Pesticides Advisory
Committee. An assessment of pesticide re-
search projects funded by the Ministry of the
Environment through the Ontario Pesticides
Advisory Committee, 1978-1979. 42 pp.

Lazarovits, G. 1979. Book review on "Host plant
resistance to pests." P. A. Hedin, ed. ACS
Symposium, Series 62, Am. Chem. Soc,
Washington, 1977, 286 pp. Pestic. Biochem.
Physiol. 10:230-231.

McLeod, D. G. R. 1979. Sex pheromone and insect
control. The Grower, December.

Tomlin, A. D. 1979. Pipeline construction impact
on soil micro- and meso-fauna on a cattle farm
near Bryanston, Ontario. Ch. 7 in R. M.
Quigley and A. Bohdanowicz, eds. Pipeline
construction impact on a cattle farm near
Bryanston, Ontario. Geotech. Res. Rep.,
GEOT-1-79, University of Western Ontario,
October 1979.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LONDON, ONT.

223

Tomlin, A. D. 1979. Soil critters of Brazil and Peru. Tu, C. M. 1978. Effects of physical treatments on

Beans in Canada. Agribook Mag. 5(4):38-39. acetylene reduction (nitrogen fixation) and

t i a r» \4-u i i imn r» i a change in non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers in

Tomlin, A. D.; Miller, J. J. 1979. Development and in e* v i v * • i o

c ,. c , j- •• /• j soils. Proc. Steenbock-Kettenne Int. Symp.

fecundity of the manure worm, Eisema joetida KT.. « XM ,. .... ,- .,\ v

.. ./, , . . .. v . . , J Nitrogen Fixation, Madison, Wis., 12-16 June

(Annedlida: Lumbncidae) under laboratory 1Q7« n

conditions. Proc. VII Int. Soil Zool. Colloq., ' p'

Syracuse, N.Y.

-
224 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Program Service
Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administration

R. Trottier, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. W. Friel
W. A. Fettes

Acting Director
Administrative/ Awards Officer
Branch Liaison Officer

Graphics

H. R. Jackson
C. N. Halchuk
W. G. Wilson
C. E. Beddoe

Head of Section
Chief, Art and Design
Acting Chief, Photography
Photomicroscopy

Scientific Information Retrieval

R. Trottier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
J. H. Ford

J. S. Kelleher, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. S. Krehm, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
C. D. Laing, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Head of Section

Chief, Systems

Chief, Biological Control

Fungicides and insecticides

Chief, Inventory

Scientific Editing/Text Processing

J. A. Perrin, B.Sc.

D. M. Archibald, B.A.

S. Balchin

Y. Dupont, B.A.

M. Ellis

N. Rousseau, B.A., M.A.

S. M. Rudnitski, B.Sc.

A. Thomassin, B.A., B.A. (Geog.)

J. M. Tomlinson, B.A., M.A.

Head of Section

Editing

Chief, Text Processing

Editing

RESEARCH PROGRAM SERVICE

225

C. R. Wood, B.S.A., M.Sc, B.D.

Editing

Departures

S. Plourde1
J. C. Jeffery

Resigned 17 February 1979
J. F. Piton

Retired 15 December 1979
J. Sharkey

Laid off 23 June 1979

Director

Head of Section;

Information Processing
Chief, Photography

Editing

'Seconded to Managerial Accountability Directorate, 15 October 1979.

226

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Research support provided by Research Program Service includes a wide range of
scientific information, technical, and publication services to the Research Branch. During 1979
the Pesticide Information Liaison Section was reorganized to become the Scientific
Information Retrieval Section with additional responsibility for the Inventory of Canadian
Agricultural Research (ICAR). The 1978-1979 ICAR index was published for the Canadian
Agriculture Research Council (CARC), as was the 1978 Pesticide Research Report and the
1979 Research Branch Inventory. Branch circular 79-5 was issued to inform all managers of
publishing procedures for Branch manuscripts and all Branch publications are now monitored
to ensure adherence to official language requirements.

Departmental representation on the Interdepartmental Committee on Air Surveys,
Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources, for contract surveys of plant diseases and soil
mapping was continued, as was the coordination of aerial research photography with the
National Research Council. The timely release of the Canadian Plant Disease Survey was
established and maintained during 1979 and a new publication, Pesticide Information, was
introduced.

The coordination of several scientific missions to and from Canada was undertaken and
the programs for operating and extramural research grants, visiting fellowships, and the
Canada/ France exchange program were administered.

This report is a summary of developments during 1979. Detailed information may be
obtained by writing to: Director, Research Program Service, Research Branch, Ottawa, Ont.
K1A0C6.

R. Trottier
Acting Director

AWARDS AND BRANCH LIAISON

The administration of extramural research,
operating grants, visiting fellowships, and
scientific missions to and from Canada was
continued during 1979.

The extramural research program is used to
solicit specific research activities from univer-
sity scientists to augment current research
programs. The program is the responsibility
of a departmental committee appointed by the
Deputy Minister. In 1979 there were 72
applications received.

Operating grants are awarded to individual
investigators, who must be staff members of
Canadian universities, as contributions
toward the normal operating costs of specific
proposed research projects with definite impli-
cations of value to the agricultural industry.
The selection committee consists of three
representatives from Agriculture Canada and
seven from faculties of agriculture and veteri-
nary science. There were 311 applications
received in 1979.

The visiting fellowship program gives
promising young scientists, from all over the
world, the opportunity to work with distin-
guished researchers in their respective fields
before embarking on careers in scientific
research. The program is administered by the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council on behalf of Canadian government
departments and agencies. Research Program
Service acts as liaison between the Council
and Agriculture Canada. In 1979 there were
1 56 applications for fellowships in this depart-
ment.

Eighteen scientific missions or visits to
Canada during the past year included dele-
gates from the USSR, People's Republic of
China, Czechoslovakia, Israel, Sweden, Den-
mark, Brazil, Romania, Nigeria, Pakistan,
and Korea. Canadian missions visited the
USSR, Argentina, Chile, and Israel.

Nine visits to France and four from that
country were conducted under the Canada/
France scientific exchange program.

RESEARCH PROGRAM SERVICE

227

GRAPHICS

Research photography and production art
and illustration services to the Branch and
other agencies within the Department contin-
ued to increase during 1979, with over 43 000
units produced during the year for an average
of 132 requests for work per month. Services
provided include photomicrography, labora-
tory and field technical photography, film and
print processing, and color separation and
lithographic processes, together with technical
and biological illustration, publication layout
and design, and chart, graph, and figure
preparation for scientific journals.

Due to heavier demands for services during
the year, contracted production increased by
125% over that in 1978 and a study of
computerized production reporting was initi-
ated to improve planning and control.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
RETRIEVAL SECTION

Computerized national information storage
and retrieval systems were maintained during
1979 on pesticides and on agricultural re-
search.

The Pesticide Research Report editions
from 1973 to 1979 were computerized and
retrospective searches can now be made. Ten
technical data sheets were released during the
year on candidate pesticides prior to their
experimental use in Canada. As a result of
coordinating the minor use of pesticides
program, data on 23 pesticides were processed
and directed to Health and Welfare Canada
and to the Pesticides Section, Food Produc-
tion and Inspection Branch, for registration.

Commonwealth Institute of Biological Con-
trol contracts were coordinated and managed
for Agriculture Canada and for the Canadian
Forestry Service. In 1979, 17 shipments were
received from eight countries for a total of

19 066 specimens. Thirty-nine shipments
were sent to research establishments; 14
parasite species totaling 12 685 insects were
sent to seven provinces for study or release, or
both.

The Inventory of Canadian Agricultural
Research, listing 4050 projects from 145
research establishments, was completely up-
dated. Seventy requests for agricultural re-
search information were received during 1979
with an average turnaround time of 3 wk. The
Service participated in the expert committee
meeting on current research information
systems, held by the Organization for Eco-
nomic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) in Paris, and a CARC informational
brochure to promulgate ICAR was published.

SCIENTIFIC EDITING/TEXT
PROCESSING

Editorial and word processing services were
provided for scientific and technical publica-
tions of the Branch and the Department to
help meet the technology transfer require-
ments of the Research Branch. In 1979, 44
English and 41 French manuscripts were
edited, comprising over 7900 pages and
covering a wide range of agricultural subjects.
While many of the publications were of
interest to the public, scientific texts were
directed at research workers in universities,
industry, and government.

Two major books were published during the
year: Budd's Flora of the Canadian Prairie
Provinces and The Mosquitoes of Canada,
Part 6 in the series The Insects and Arachnids
of Canada. To assist Branch authors in the
submission of manuscripts, the bulletin
Guidelines for Preparing Manuscripts was
written and published in 1979.

To reduce editorial and production times
editing of some manuscripts was contracted
out and 3000 pages were processed by the use
of computer facilities.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Jackson, H. R.; Wallen, V. R. 1979. Comparison of
optical density differences in aerial photo-
graphs between plant canopy and soils with
varying surface moisture. J. Biol. Photo. 47:43-
47.

Johnson, E. F:; Trottier, R.; Laing, J. E. 1979.
Degree-day relationships to the development of
Lithocollet is blancardella (Lepidoptera: grac-
illariidae) and its parasite Apanteles ornigis
(Hymenoptera: braconidae). Can. Entomol.
111:1177-1184.

228

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Paradis, R. O.; Trottier, R.; MacLellan, C. R.
1979. Essais de différents modèles de pièges à
phéromone sexuelle de synthèse pour la cap-
ture de Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) dans l'Est
du Canada. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que. 24:3-1 1.

Trottier, R.; Townshend, J. L. 1979. Influence of
soil moisture on apple maggot emergence,
Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Can. Entomol. 111:975-976.

Miscellaneous

Anon. 1978. Pesticide research report. Expert
Comm. on Pesticide Use in Agriculture. Re-
search Program Service, Research Branch. 622
pp.

Kelleher, J. S., compiler. 1979. The Canadian
agricultural insect pest review. Vol. 56 (1978).
64 pp.

Kelleher, J. S., compiler. 1979. Laboratory colonies
of insects and other arthropods in Canada.
Entomol. Soc. Can. 13 pp.

Krehm, H. S. 1979. Pre-plant chemical seed pro-
tectants for use on cereal and oil seeds. Ca-
nadex 110.23.

Perrin, J. A., editor. 1979. Guidelines for preparing
manuscripts. Research Program Service, Re-
search Branch. 13 pp.

Trottier, R., editor. 1979. Pesticide information.
Research Program Service, Research Branch.
Vol. 1 , No. 1 . August. 6 pp.

Trottier, R., editor. 1979. Pesticide information.
Research Program Service, Research Branch.
Vol. 1, No. 2. December. 8 pp.

Williamson, G. D. 1979. Insect liberations in
Canada: parasites and predators, 1975. Libera-
tion Bull. No. 39. Can. Dep. Agric. 12 pp.

RESEARCH PROGRAM SERVICE

229

WESTERN REGION
RÉGION DE L'OUEST

Dr. A. A. Guitard

Dr. J. E. R.

Greenshields

Dr. D. E. Waldern Mr. H. C. Korven

Dr. B. H. Sonntag

seconded from the
Economics Branch

Mr. P. B. Griffith Mr. J. J. McConnell

seconded from
Information Services

EXECUTIVE OF THE WESTERN REGION
L'EXÉCUTIF DE LA RÉGION DE L'OUEST

Director General
Directeur général

A. A. Guitard, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Assistant Director General
Directeur général adjoint

J. E. R. Greenshields, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D., F.A.I.C.

Program Specialist
Spécialiste en programmes

D. E. Waldern, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Contracts Specialist
Spécialiste en contrats

H. C. Korven, B.E., M.Sc.

Economist
Économiste

B. H. Sonntag, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Chief, Finance and Administration
Chefy Finances et administration

P. B. Griffith

Manager, Information Services
Gérant, Services de l'information

J. J. McConnell, B.S.A., M. A.

XXVll

PREFACE

The Western Region, with Headquarters in
Saskatoon, consists of 15 research stations,
four experimental farms, and eight substa-
tions. These research establishments serve the
agricultural community throughout the Prai-
rie Provinces and British Columbia. In 1979
the Region managed a budget of $39 million
and employed approximately 340 profession-
als in implementing its programs.

Plant breeding research culminated in
licensing 13 cultivars, including two varieties
of spring wheat, two barleys, two oats, one fall
rye, two wheatgrasses, three legumes, and one
pea. Two corn hybrids and a sunflower hybrid
were also released.

Research in agronomy showed that contin-
uous cropping with cereals, perennial forage,
and watershed management were effective in
reducing dryland soil salinity. Zero tillage
resulted in cereal yields on stubble equal or
superior to those obtained with conventional
tillage. Two new herbicides were identified as
superior to existing compounds for control of
broad-leaved weeds, and an effective low-cost
control for grasshoppers using a bran bait
treated with dimethoate was demonstrated.

Beef cattle research was conducted at seven
of the 15 stations in the Region and included
studies on breeding, nutrition and forage
utilization, and management. Advances were
recorded in improved efficiency of feed utili-
zation with brome-alfalfa hay harvested at
20% moisture and stored under shelter com-
pared with the same hay harvested at higher
moisture content and stored outside; a four-
fold increase in forage dry matter production
with improved cultivated grass species com-
pared with seeded native grasses; elimination
of mold growth by treatment of hay with 2%
ammonia in forage preservation studies; and
control of stem eyespot of fescue with the
fungicide Biloxazol.

Corn silage of higher dry matter and higher
grain content resulted in increased milk
production in dairy cattle nutrition. In swine
nutrition research, rapeseed meal from new
double low cultivars was used to completely
replace soybean meal in rations for growing
and finishing without adverse effects on
performance.

Horticulture research was conducted at
seven stations. Important achievements in-
cluded confirmation that the apple mealybug
is a vector in little cherry disease; develop-
ment of an optimum growth culture for pear
meristem cultures; and discovery of a new
proliferation technique for rapid propagation
of grape accessions.

Research on food quality and processing
technology is important in the Region. An
efficient dehydrator for producing fruit
leather was designed and made available to
industry. A new energy-saving method for
making brown sugars was developed, and a
process for desalting and canning brined
mushrooms was devised.

The meat research program is integrated
but broadly based, incorporating studies of
quality, biochemistry, microbiology, and pres-
ervation technology. A national hog carcass
and pork quality study was completed.

There were several significant staff changes
within the Region in 1979, including two
retirements. Dr. W. C. (Bill) McDonald
retired as Director of the Winnipeg Research
Station after serving 30 yr with the Depart-
ment. The other retirement was that of Dr. J.
E. R. (Ross) Greenshields, Director of the
Research Station at Saskatoon, who also
served 30 yr with Agriculture Canada. Other
changes include the transfer of Dr. F. K.
(Fred) Kristjansson from the Research Sta-
tion at Lacombe to the position of Research
Coordinator for Animals, Branch Headquar-
ters, Ottawa. Mr. H. C. (Hans) Korven joined
the staff of Western Region Headquarters in
1979 as Contracts Specialist. A second addi-
tion to Headquarters staff was Dr. B. H.
(Bernie) Sonntag, who took up the position of
Economist.

Further information about our programs
may be obtained by writing to the research
establishments concerned or by addressing
inquiries to Western Region Headquarters,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Room
600 Federal Building, 101 -22nd Street East,
P.O. Box 9241, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 3X5.

A. A. Guitard

xxvin

PREFACE

La région de l'Ouest, dont l'administration
centrale est à Saskatoon, compte 15 stations de
recherches, quatre fermes expérimentales et huit
sous-stations. Ces établissements desservent la
collectivité agricole des provinces des Prairies et de
la Colombie-Britannique. En 1979, son budget était
de 39 millions de dollars et son personnel d'environ
340 chercheurs.

Les projets de recherche qui portent sur le
croisement des plantes ont permis de faire homolo-
guer cette année 13 nouveaux cultivars, soit deux
variétés de blé du printemps, deux variétés d'orge,
deux variétés d'avoine, deux variétés de seigle
d'automne, deux variétés de chiendent, trois varié-
tés de légumineuses et une variété de pois. On a
aussi fait homologuer deux hybrides de maïs et un
hybride de tournesol.

Les recherches en agronomie ont démontré que
la mise en culture continue, le fourrage vivace et la
gestion de l'écoulement des eaux sont efficaces pour
réduire la salinité des sols secs. On a aussi fait la
preuve que la culture sans labour sur chaume
donnait des rendements céréaliers égaux ou supé-
rieurs à ceux obtenus par les techniques de travail
sur sols classiques. On a trouvé deux nouveaux
herbicides supérieurs aux composés actuellement
utilisés pour combattre les mauvaises herbes dicoty-
lédones. D'autre part, un appât au son traité au
diméthoate s'est révélé un moyen économique et
efficace pour combattre les sauterelles.

La recherche sur le bovin de boucherie intéresse
sept des 15 stations. Des études portent sur la
reproduction, la manutention du fourrage, la nutri-
tion et la conduite des troupeaux. On a enregistré
un gain dans la valorisation des aliments par les
bovins de boucherie grâce à l'association brome-
luzerne récoltée à 20% d'humidité et entreposée
sous abri en comparaison avec le brome-luzerne
récolté à un taux d'humidité plus élevé et entreposé
sans abri; on a quadruplé la production de matière
sèche des fourrages en employant des espèces
améliorées de graminées cultivées au lieu de semis
de graminées indigènes. On a enrayé la croissance
des moisissures dans le foin humide par traitement
avec une solution d'ammoniaque à 20%. Enfin, on a
découvert un moyen de combattre la tache ocellée
de la tige de la fétuque par le fongicide Biloxazol.

Du côté de la nutrition des bovins laitiers, on a
mis au point un ensilage de maïs contenant un plus
grand taux de matière sèche et de grain ce qui

permet d'accroître la production laitière. Les cher-
cheurs en nutrition des porcs ont réalisé un nouveau
tourteau de colza que l'on peut substituer au
tourteau de soja sans nuire à leurs performances de
croissance et de finition.

La recherche horticole est menée à sept stations.
Il faut mentionner à son crédit la confirmation du
rôle de la cochenille du pommier comme vecteur de
la maladie de la petite cerise, la mise au point d'un
milieu de croissance optimale pour la culture des
méristèmes de poirier et la découverte d'une tech-
nique efficace pour la multiplication rapide de
toutes les obtentions de vignes à l'essai.

La recherche sur la qualité alimentaire et les
techniques de transformation est importante dans
l'Ouest. On a réalisé la conception d'un déshydra-
teur très efficace pour la production de pâte de fruit
déshydraté et on l'utilise maintenant dans l'indus-
trie. On a aussi mis au point une nouvelle méthode
économique d'énergie pour la fabrication de casso-
nade et un processus nouveau pour dessaler les
champignons saumurés et les mettre en conserve.

Le programme sur les viandes est intégré mais
comprend un large éventail d'activités en biochimie,
en microbiologie, en études sur la qualité et en
techniques de préservation.

En 1979, la région a connu quelques change-
ments importants de personnel, dont deux départs
pour la retraite. Ce sont M. W.C. (Bill) McDonald,
l'ancien directeur de la station de recherches à
Winnipeg, après 30 années de service au Ministère
et M. J.E.R. (Ross) Greenshields, ancien directeur
de la station de recherches à Saskatoon, après le
même laps de temps dans notre ministère. Parmi les
autres changements, il y a eu la mutation de M.
F.K. (Fred) Kristjansson de la station de recherches
à Lacombe au poste de coordonnateur de la recher-
che pour l'administration centrale (biosystémati-
que) à Ottawa. Sont venus grossir l'effectif de
l'administration centrale de la région de l'ouest
MM. H.C. (Hans) Korven à titre de spécialiste en
travaux contractuels et B.H. (Bernie) Sonntag,
économiste.

On peut obtenir de plus amples renseignements
sur nos programmes en écrivant aux établissements
de recherches concernés ou en s'adressant à l'Admi-
nistration centrale de la région de l'Ouest, Direction
de la recherche, Agriculture Canada, Édifice fédé-
ral, pièce 600, 101. 22 rue Est, C.P. 9241, Saska-
toon (Sask.), S7K 3X5.

A. A. Guitard

XXIX

Research Station
Brandon, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

W. N. MacNaughton, B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. J. Dagenais

A. P. Piloski, B.S.A.

Director

Administrative Officer
Information Officer

Animal Science

J. H. Strain, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. L. Cliplef, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. W. Dyck, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. R. Grandhi, B.V.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. L. Grinwich, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.
G. W. Rahnefeld, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Animal breeding
and management
Meats physiology
Reproductive physiology
Swine nutrition
Reproductive physiology
Beef cattle genetics

Plant Science

L. D. Bailey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

K. W. Campbell, B.Sc., Ph.D.

P. N. P. Chow,1 B.S.A., M.A., Ph.D.

R. D. Dryden,2 B.S.A., M.Sc.

R. I. Hamilton,3 B.Sc, M.S.A., Ph.D.

E. D. Spratt, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. I. Wolfe, B.S.A., B.D., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Soil-plant
relationships
Barley breeding
Weed physiology
Crop culture
Corn physiology
Plant nutrition
Barley breeding

RESEARCH STATION, BRANDON, MAN.

231

Departures

A. T. H. Gross, B.S.A., M. Se. Forage crops

Deceased June 1979
A. R. McElroy, B.Sc, M.Sc. Corn-soybean physiology

Transferred to Ottawa Research Station, Ottawa,

September 1979

'On postdoctoral transfer of work to Weed Research Organization, Oxford, England, September 1979.

:On secondment to CI DA. Canada-Sri Lanka rainfed agriculture project.

"Returned 1 September 1979 from 2 yr assignment to CIDA, on Canada India dryland project.

232 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Research continues to place emphasis on breeding of beef cattle; breeding, physiology,
nutrition, and management of swine; and soil fertility, plant nutrition, cultural practices, and
weed control of cereal and oilseed crops.

It is with regret that we record the death in June 1979 of Mr. A. T. H. (Hugo) Gross who
served Agriculture Canada faithfully and well for 27 yr. He was well recognized across Canada
for his research with forage crops.

Bedford, a new feed barley cultivar with improved kernel weight and straw strength,
which outyields Klondike by 8% in the eastern Prairies, was licensed.

The newly licensed soybean cultivar, Maple Presto, developed in cooperation with the
Ottawa Research Station, represents a breakthrough in early maturity and has provided a new
standard for earliness in the crop. Maple Presto matures 10-14 days earlier than Portage, the
previous early standard in Manitoba.

The discovery that placement of fertilizer P directly below the seed significantly increased
yields of flax, rapeseed, and soybeans was a significant advance in methods of fertilizer P
application.

This report summarizes only the main results of research in 1979. More detailed results
and reprints of published papers may be obtained from: Research Station, Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, Box 610, Brandon, Man. R7A 5Z7.

W. N. MacNaughton
Director

ANIMAL SCIENCE
Beef cattle

Cow's body weight and effects on calf s
preweaning traits. Over a 9 yr period, 635
birth weights and 607 weaning weights of
shorthorn calves were analyzed and revealed
sex of the calf as the most important source of
variation in birth weight, weaning weight, and
preweaning average daily gain. The heaviest
cows in June, October, and December prior to
parturition and at parturition produced the
heaviest calves at birth, but the cows that
maintained their weight throughout gestation
and subsequent lactation produced the calves
which grew more rapidly and were heavier at
weaning. There was no apparent effect of cow
weight change before or after parturition on
other preweaning traits. Correlations of birth
weight with weaning weight, preweaning
average daily gain, and cow weight at parturi-
tion were 0.56 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.04, and 0.24
± 0.04, respectively. Correlations of weaning
weight and preweaning average daily gain
with cow weight at parturition were 0.42 ±
0.04 and 0.40 ± 0.040.

Time of day of parturition in beef cows. In
the station herd over a 4 yr period the hourly
distribution of 1151 calvings was relatively

uniform. Year of calving, sex of calf, age of
cow, weight of cow, and calf birth weight had
no influence on the time of calving. Only the
breed of maternal grandsire and maternal
granddam, for some unexplained reason,
affected the time of calving, with 59, 54, 51,
and 46% of the calves having Hereford,
Charolais, Simmental, and Limousin grand-
sires, respectively, and 56, 56, and 41% of the
calves from Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn
granddams, respectively, being born during
the day (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.).

The relationship between hour of feeding
(8-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. versus 1 1-12 a.m. and
9-10 p.m.) and time of calving (day versus
night) was studied in a cooperating purebred
herd (104 cows). Preliminary results show
that on the normal feeding regime, 38% of the
parturition occurred during the daytime
period compared with 80% for the cows on the
experimental feeding regime (11 a.m. - 12
a.m. and 9 p.m. - 10 p.m.).

Swine

Factors affecting the incidence of post lac-
tational anestrus in the sow. In two experi-
ments with 87 postlactational Lacombe sows,
anesthesia on day of weaning, wake up at 8
p.m., pair confinement, pair confinement with
wake up every 6 h, and outside housing had

RESEARCH STATION, BRANDON, MAN.

233

no effect on the number of sows returning to
estrus nor on the interval from weaning to
estrus (approximately 5 days).

In a third experiment 45 para 1 and para 2
postrotational Lacombe sows were treated
with a blank silastic implant or a progesterone
implant (200 mg) in the ear for 48 h after
weaning. The percentage of sows returning to
estrus was the same for both treatments. The
interval between weaning and estrus was 7.0
± 0.6 and 6.9 ± 0.6 days, respectively, for
blank and progesterone implanted sows that
had returned to estrus within 15 days. This
interval was 2 days longer for para 1 sows
than for para 2 (8.0 ± 0.5 versus 6.0 ± 0.5).
Among the sows that became pregnant, the
progesterone implant had no effect on uterine
weight (P— 1577 ± 71 g versus C— 1460 ±
44 g), ovarian weight (16.2 ± 0.7 g versus
15.7 ± 0.5 g), number of embryos (12.9 ±
0.8 versus 11.4 ± 0.6), or percent embryo
survival (76.9 ± 4.0%, 79.8 ± 4.0%) but did
increase ovulation rate (16.3 ± 0.6 CL, 14.4
± 0.6 CL). Parity effects in the pregnant
animals were evident only for ovarian weight
(para 1 — 14.9 zb 0.7 g, para 2—17.1 ±0.4
g) and ovulation rates (para 1 — 13.8 ± 0.5,
para 2— 16.6 ± 0.6 CL).

Effect of estrone and progesterone on
embryo survival. Embryo survival at 25 days
of pregnancy (day 25) in Yorkshire and
Lacombe gilts was improved by daily injec-
tions of estrone (12.5 /xg), but not by
progesterone (25.0 mg) or progesterone plus
estrone from day 14 to day 21. Identical
treatment of Yorkshire sows did not affect
embryo survival at day 25 but implanting
with silastic implants containing estrone at
day 14 for 7 days significantly improved
embryo survival at 60 and 90 days of preg-
nancy. These results suggest that embryonic
losses occur earlier in gilts than in sows and
that litter size can be increased by estrone
supplementation during this critical period of
gestation.

The effects of testosterone and 5oc-an-
drostenone immunization on sex odor and
growth in swine. Barrows implanted with
testosterone gained faster over a 10 wk period
than untreated barrows, gilts, testosterone
implanted boars, untreated boars, and boars
immunized with 5a-androstenone but carried
more back fat than all other groups except the
untreated barrows. Boars immunized with
5a-androstenone grew the slowest and were
the leanest of all groups. A trained sensory

panel was unable to detect any differences
among groups in the sex odor in fat samples
taken at slaughter (90 kg) or by biopsy 2 wk
prior to slaughter. Radioimmunoassays are
under way to quantify 5a-androstenone levels
in blood and fat samples.

Halothane tests in the swine herd. To
evaluate the Halothane method for identifi-
cation of pigs susceptible to porcine stress
syndrome (PSS), 230 Yorkshire and Lacombe
barrows were subjected to 5% halothane and
oxygen for a 3 min period. No reaction was
observed in most cases, but various degrees of
reaction, from minor to extreme, were noted
in 5% of the pigs. Blood samples from the
reacting pigs are being analyzed for creatine
phosphokinase activity. Muscle quality as
indicated by postmortem muscle pH and color
development is being monitored.

Efficient use of pen space for market hogs.
Two penning systems (a) conventional with a
constant pen space (0.84 m2 per pig) from
start to finish and (b) modified with varying
pen space (0.28, 0.56, and 0.84 m2 per pig)
and varying number of pigs (24, 12, and 8 per
pen) from start to 30 kg, from 30 kg to 60 kg,
and from 60 kg to market weight were
compared to study their effect on growth
performance of market hogs. Although the
modified system significantly reduced growth
rate and feed efficiency of both Lacombes and
Yorkshires during the early growing period, a
compensatory increase in growth rate was
observed in the latter part of the growth
period. The growth performance was, how-
ever, less affected during winter than in
summer. The modified system made it possi-
ble to raise approximately 25% more pigs in
equal facilities and to empty the pens more
quickly because of sorting into groups of
uniform-size pigs.

Nutrition and management to reduce age
at sexual maturity in gilts. In comparison to
the regular 14% finisher diet, feeding a low-
protein (11%) diet supplemented with amino
acid lysine (0.3%) from 65 kg liveweight did
not significantly affect the growth rate, feed
efficiency, or age at sexual maturity. Manage-
ment treatments such as physical exercise,
mild electric shock, boar odor spray at weekly
intervals, and constant exposure to a boar did
not significantly reduce the age at puberty.
However, mild electric shock treatment
caused a considerable reduction of age at
sexual maturity (213 ± 11 versus 186 ± 9

234

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

days) in both Lacombe and Yorkshire gilts
and this response was similar in both dietary
groups.

PLANT SCIENCE

Cereal crops

Wheat production and soil fertility. A
regression equation relating grain protein to
percent N in the plant at the flag-leaf stage
was developed from Indian Head Experimen-
tal Farm data from a long-term crop rotation
study. This equation can be used to predict
the need for urea sprays to increase protein in
the grain.

A comparison of wheat and flax production
on various soil types indicated that subsoil
calcium:magnesium ratios of >1 did not
affect wheat yields but did depress flax yields.

Weed control in wheat. A new experimental
formulation, DPX 4189, controlled most
broad-leaved weeds except wild buckwheat,
with good crop tolerance. Wild oat control
was not affected when DPX 4189 was applied
in mixtures with difenzoquat and barban, but
the wild oat control was reduced in mixtures
with diclofop-methyl (Hoegrass) and flam-
prop-methyl. Separate applications of the
latter with DPX 4189 gave no antagonistic
effects. SSH 0860 gave wild oats control
equal to triallate (Avadex) plus chloramben
and gave control of some broad-leaved weeds.
Mixtures of triallate and chloramben control-
led wild oats, green foxtail, and some broad-
leaved weeds, with good crop tolerance.

Barley breeding and genetics. A new feed
barley cultivar, Bedford, was licensed in 1979.
It has improved yield (8%) over Klondike in
eastern and central Manitoba and has im-
proved kernel weight, test weight, and straw
strength. The variety was named in honor of
Dr. S. A. Bedford, the first superintendent of
the Brandon Experimental Farm and a promi-
nent scientist and citizen. Advanced breeding
lines from Brandon continue among top
entries in the Western Cooperative Test,
ranking 1, 2, and 5 in yield, and continue to
have improved disease resistance and agro-
nomic performance.

In malting barley, one advanced line
(BT342) continues to perform well in the
Western Cooperative Test, having improved
malting quality over Bonanza. Three addi-
tional lines, all with improved malting quality
and yield over Bonanza, are scheduled for

advancement to the Western Cooperative
Test in 1980. A new full-scale yield test of
two-row lines developed at Brandon was
conducted, and several promising lines were
identified. Malting quality, disease resistance,
and agronomic performance of lines devel-
oped using the double haploid technique
indicate that this method has good potential
for barley research and breeding, particularly
in wide crosses.

Barley production and management. The
protein content of barley was significantly
increased when grown after sweetclover,
soybeans, or fababeans compared with fallow
or on barley stubble with N at 60 kg/ha.
Barley on fallow outyielded barley following
the legumes, but the highest yield was ob-
tained when barley was grown after the
legumes with N at 60 kg/ha.

Corn physiology and management. Cli-
matic conditions approximated those of 1974,
and evaluation of lines under these 'test'
conditions show that yields were significantly
improved over those obtained in 1974. The
yield formula, based on planting date and
developed at Brandon, proved reliable in
predicting a 30% reduction in yield and a 7%
reduction in test weight of corn due to late
seeding.

Weed control in corn. Herbicides are evalu-
ated for their ability to control broad-leaved
and grassy weeds and for low soil and crop
residue. Soil-incorporated EPTC/R25778
(Eradicane) and butylate, supplemented by
postapplied dicamba/2,4-D/mecoprop, gave
the best total weed control. Pyridate/atrazine,
dicamba, and dicamba/2,4-D gave good con-
trol of broad-leaved weeds but little control of
green foxtail. Corn was very sensitive to a
mixture of ethylfluralin and atrazine.

Oilseed crops

Tolerance of rapeseed, flax, and soybean to
drought. Rapeseed (0-1120 kg/ha) yielded
less than either flax (635-1305 kg/ha) or
soybeans (1091-2200 kg/ha) under the high
temperature - low rainfall conditions that
followed the late cool spring of 1979.

Fertilizer placement for rapeseed, flax, and
soybeans. The degree of response of these
crops to fertilizer P was related to the
quantity of fertilizer and its placement in
relationship to the seed. Banding gave signif-
icantly higher yields than either spring or fall
broadcast P. Placement 2.5 cm directly below

RESEARCH STATION, BRANDON, MAN.

235

the seed was superior to banding 2.5 cm to the
side and 2.5 cm below. Application with the
seed was less effective than either of the other
two banding methods.

Soybean physiology and management. Ni-
trogen residue following soybean and faba-
bean production was not sufficient to supply
the requirements for a succeeding barley crop.
When beans were harvested at maturity, N at
60 kg/ha was required to maximize yield of
barley. However, when the crops were plowed
in as green manure, N at only 30 kg/ha was
required. On all treatments, protein content of
barley was higher than that obtained on
barley stubble or summerfallow.

The new variety, Maple Presto, supported
by the Brandon data, was licensed. The
variety represents the earliest, nonshattering
variety licensed for commercial production. It
matures about 10-14 days earlier than the
variety Portage and was equivalent in yield
and protein tests. Currently several advanced
lines, related to Maple Presto and originating
from the Ottawa Research Station breeding
program, show significant yield increases over
Maple Presto with only marginal increases in
the number of days to maturity.

Weed control in rapeseed, flax, and
soybeans. In rapeseed, EL 5261, a short-
residue-life formulation, gave better weed
control than trifluralin. Excellent control of
wild oats and volunteer barley was obtained
with BAS 9052, while Hoegrass controlled
volunteer corn.

In flax excellent weed control was obtained
with triallate, trifluralin, and ethylfluralin.
BAS 9052 alone and in mixtures with MCPA
amine, MCPA K, and propanil gave good
control of wild oats and broad-leaved weeds
without injurious effects on the crop.

In soybeans excellent grassy and broad-
leaved weed control continues with preplant
soil incorporated trifluralin followed by a
postemergence application of bentazon or RH
6201. BAS 9052 with a wetting agent gave
good control of wild oats, while a mixture of
trifluralin and metribuzin controlled wild oats

and lamb's-quarters. The new variety Maple
Presto had good tolerance to these herbicides.

Forage crops

Alfalfa production and management. Both
K and S applied to established stands of
alfalfa not only increased yield and protein
content, but reduced the soluble protein
fraction. This fraction, among other factors in
alfalfa, has been implicated as contributing to
the bloat problem.

A three-cut system of management has
been developed for alfalfa; the net effect is to
produce increased yield of high-protein for-
age. The crop is harvested at full-bud to 5%
bloom stage, when crude protein content is
approximately 20-24% and the yield is ap-
proximately 90-95% of maximum.

Production and management of grasses.
Old grass stands are less responsive to fertil-
izer N than new stands. Chemical analysis of
30 cm3 biomass samples taken from old grass
swards show that 30-35% of the annually
applied N was immobilized by the soil bio-
mass. This N, apparently, is not available to
the grass sward, but upon breaking, slowly
mineralizes and is available to subsequent
crops.

Grass-legume mixtures for hay and pas-
ture. Brome-alfalfa mixtures seeded either in
the same row or in separate rows at right
angles continue to produce the highest yields.
In these stands all varieties of grasses seeded
with several forage legumes continue to
survive but the legume component suffers
serious winter injury. After 5 yr losses from
winterkill were: Leo birdsfoot trefoil >98%;
Melrose sainfoin >80%; Vernal alfalfa 15%;
Rambler alfalfa <10%.

Weed control in forage crops. Good control
of wild oats and green foxtail in seedling
alfalfa was obtained with asulam. Mixing the
chemical with 2,4-DB gave good control of
stinkweed and wild mustard, with only slight
crop damage. Similar results were obtained
with BAS 9052/2,4-DB mixtures. However,
mixtures of bromoxynil and asulam or BAS
9052 seriously injured alfalfa seedlings.

236

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Dormaar, J. F.; Pittman, U. J.; Spratt, E. D. 1979.
Burning crop residues: effect on selected soil
characteristics and long term wheat yields.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:79-86.

Dyck, G. W.; Palmer, W. M.; Simaraks, S. 1979.
Postweaning plasma concentration of luteiniz-
ing hormone and estrogens in sows: effect of
treatment with pregnant mare's serum gonad-
otropin or estradiol- 17/3 plus progesterone.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:159-166.

Garnett, I.; Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979. Factors affect-
ing gestation length in the pig. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:83-87.

Grandhi, R. R.; Narendran, R.; Bowman, G. H.;
Slinger, S. J. 1979. Effects on performance of
pigs fed steam-pelleted rapeseed meal diets.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:323-326.

Moyer, J. R.; Dryden, R. D.; Chow, P. N. P. 1979.
Effect of barban and flamprop methyl with
solution nitrogen on wheat, wild oats and green
foxtail. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:351-356.

Spratt, E. D.; Mclver, R. N. 1979. The effect of
continual use of phosphate fertilizer and barn-
yard manure on yield of wheat and the fertility
status of a clay chernozem soil. Can. J. Soil
Sci. 59:451-454.

Wolfe, R. I.; Larter, E. N. 1979. An investigation
to determine the chromosome carrying the
gene Un6 of barley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:861-
862.

Miscellaneous

Bailey, L. D. 1979. High yield soybean research —
Manitoba. Better crops with plant food, Pot-
ash/Phosphate Institute Vol. LXIII, Summer
issue, p. 20.

Bailey, L. D. 1979. Fababeans sensitive to soil
nutrients. The Manitoba Cooperator, Crop
Management Special, Mar. 1979, p. 6a.

Bailey, L. D. 1979. Flax indicate sensitivity to some
trace elements. The Manitoba Cooperator,
Crop Management Special, Mar. 1979, p. 12a.

Chow, P. N. P. 1979. Weed control in flax, Western
Canada 1979. Canadex 148:641, p. 1.

Chow, P. N. P.; Dorrell, D. G. 1979. Wild oats
effect on the quality and quantity of flax and
rapeseed. Can. Agric. Fall issue.

Chow, P. N. P.; Moyer, J. R.; Piloski, A. P. 1979.
Crop tolerance to herbicides. Canadex 641, p.
4.

Dyck, G. W. 1979. Management has role in estrus
control. The Manitoba Cooperator Vol. 37,
No. 11, pp. 10a-lla, 11 Oct. 1979.

Fredeen, H. T.; Martin, A. H.; Newman, J. A.;
Lawson, J. E.; Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979. Carcass
characteristics of progeny sired by Charolais,
Simmental, Limousin, and Chianina bulls
mated with exotic first-cross dams. Agric. Can.
Publ. 1683.

Fredeen, H. T.; Newman, J. A.; Lawson, J. E.;
Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979. Preweaning and post-
weaning performance of progeny sired by
Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, and Chi-
anina bulls mated with exotic first-cross dams.
Agric. Can. Publ. 1682.

Fredeen, H. T.; Newman, J. A.; Lawson, J. E.;
Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979. More statistics on
exotic crossbreds. Can. Agric. News Features
No. 1809, 9 Feb. 1979.

Gross, A. T. H.; Bailey, L. D. 1979. Care-not luck-
starts strong stands of alfalfa. The Manitoba
Cooperator, Crop Management Special, Mar.
1979, pp. 14a- 15a.

Harris, K. H.; Murphy, B. D.; Grinwich, D. L.
1979. L.H. and P.R.L. receptor fluctuations in
Corpora Lutea of superovulated pseudopreg-
nant hamsters. Proc. Soc. Study Reprod. 12th
Annu. Meet. (Abstract).

Voldeng, H. D.; Seitzer, J. F.; Hamilton, R. I. 1978.
Short-season soybeans. Can. Agric. 23(4):3-5.

Wolfe, R. I. 1979. Two multiple recessive stocks.
Barley Genet. Newsl. 9:141.

Wolfe, R. I. 1979. Recurrent selection. Barley
Newsl. 22:55.

RESEARCH STATION, BRANDON. MAN.

237

Research Station
Morden, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

B. B. Chubey, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Acting Director

Scientific Support

H. H. Marshall, Hon. D.Sc.
M. P. Reimer
H. G. Brodie

Horticulturist

Information Officer/ Photographer

Officer Manager

Field Crops

G. H. Friesen, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
S. T. Ali-Khan, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
C. G. Campbell, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. Giesbrecht, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. H. Gubbels, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. C. Zimmer, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Weed science
Breeding of field peas
Breeding of buckwheat
Breeding of grain corn
Crop managment, physiology
Diseases of field peas

Oilseed Crops

E. O. Kenaschuk, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. O. Chubb, B.Sc, D.Sc.
W. Dedio, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. A. Hoes, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
H. C. Huang, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Breeding of flax

Herbicides

Breeding of sunflower

Pathology of flax and sunflower

Pathology of sunflower

Horticultural Science

W. G. Ronald, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
B. B. Chubey, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. A. Russell, B.S.A.

Acting Head of Section; Breeding

of woody ornamentals
Acting Director; Quality of

essential oils, new and special

crops
Breeding of potatoes

RESEARCH STATION, MORDEN, MAN.

239

M. D. Stauffer, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D. New crops

D. E. Vanstone, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D. Management, breeding of

ornamentals

Departures

D. G. Dorrell, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. Oilseed quality

On leave of absence
M. D. Stauffer, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D. New crops

Resigned December 1979

240 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The program of the Research Station at Morden is directed toward improving cultivars
and management practices in buckwheat, field corn, field peas, flax, sunflower, potatoes,
herbaceous and woody ornamentals, and new crops.

We welcome Dr. G. H. Friesen who transferred from Harrow to conduct research on weed
control in special and new crops. Dr. M. D. Stauffer resigned from the New Crops program in
December 1979.

This report highlights some of the more important research results from the station in
1979. Further information can be obtained by personal communication with the scientists at
the Research Station, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 3001, Morden, Man. ROG 1 JO.

B. B. Chubey
Acting Director

FIELD CROPS

Buckwheat

Breeding. CM 136, a large-seeded selec-
tion, which has outyielded Mancan by 9.5% in
4 yr of testing, will be proposed for licensing.
It is expected to replace Mancan, presently
grown on approximately 80% of the commer-
cial buckwheat cropland in Manitoba. Prom-
ising large-seeded, semidwarf lines were
placed in replicated trials. Selections for
increased seed set are being made as presently
licensed cultivars set less than 12%.

Management. No beneficial effects on
yields were found from foliar applications of
H3BO3, CaCl2 2H20 applied to buckwheat
during the flowering and seed stages in a 3 yr
study. Thus, no advantage can be expected
from foliar applications to buckwheat grown
on soils containing an adequate supply of
boron and calcium.

Disease. In 21 fields sampled in a province-
wide survey, downy mildew was found in all
fields with 70-100% of the plants being
infected. Damage from this disease was light
in 1979, probably due to the low rainfall.
Resistance to this disease was found in several
breeding lines.

Weed control. Satisfactory tolerance was
noted with the grass control herbicides di-
clofop .methyl, difenzoquat, TCA, napro-
pamide, triallate, EPTC, alachlor, meto-
lachlor, and dinitramine.

Field corn

Breeding. Several new hybrids were re-
leased to the seed trade for multiplication and
further evaluation. Their maturities, stalk
qualities, and yields were outstanding. The
relative maturity of hybrids at flowering time
was maintained until harvest time in 65% of
the hybrids licensed for sale in Manitoba.

Two inbreds have been identified as fast
driers when crossed with several European
flint inbreds. This suggests that European
flints will soon appear as parents of early-
maturing hybrids for Western Canada. Early
versions of the Elite corn belt inbreds A619,
H99, and Mo 17 are in the fourth generation
of inbreeding following one backcross to the
Elite parent. Some of these selections resem-
ble their respective Elite parents quite closely
and are up to 20 days earlier in flowering.

Weed control. Postemergence applications
of bromoxynil, bentazon, cyanazine, and
dicamba/2,4-D controlled broad-leaved weeds
with adequate crop safety. Preplanting soil-
incorporated treatments of metolachlor/atra-
zine, EPTC + /atrazine, or pendimethalin
controlled green foxtail and wild oats. MCPA,
alone or in mixture, caused severe injury to
corn.

Field peas

Breeding. Lenca, a yellow-seeded cultivar,
was licensed in 1979 and pedigreed seed
released to growers through SeCan. This
cultivar outyielded standard cultivars by 19-
25% in Eastern Canada. Three selections of
green-seeded field peas were made in 1979
which have superior green color and less
bleaching than Triumph. Preliminary seed

RESEARCH STATION, MORDEN, MAN.

241

increases have been established for these
selections. A number of leafless pea lines were
selected which outyielded Century or Trapper
and have similar seed size.

Management. Applications of nitrogen at
22, 34, and 45 kg/ha increased yields of
leafless peas, with the highest yield being
obtained with 45 kg/ha. There was no re-
sponse to phosphorus fertilizer at similar
rates. Semileafless peas at 800 000 plants per
hectare outyielded plant population levels of
600 000 or 500 000.

Quality. Tests on cooking quality indicated
that irrigation and application of phosphorus
fertilizer improved cooking quality while
nitrogen fertilizer tended to reduce quality.
Early harvest also produced good cookers.
Good cooking peas always contained a smaller
amount of Mg in relation to P and K in the
protein bodies.

Diseases. A total of 2451 breeding lines
were evaluated for the presence of pea seed-
borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). Of these, 212
lines showed virus infection. Thirty-six ad-
vanced breeding lines were assessed for
reaction to Mycosphaerella pinodes. Most
were found to be susceptible, some were
intermediate, and one line (PI 272157) ap-
peared to be resistant. Commercial seed
treatment types of fungicide (captan, thiram,
and benomyl) improved plant emergence and
yields of commercial pea cultivars.

Weed control. Excellent control of redroot
pigweed, lamb's-quarters, wild mustard, and
green foxtail was obtained with sequential
treatments of dinitroaniline types of herbicide
followed by MCPB/MCPA, bentazon, or
MCPA. Postemergence treatments of diclofop
methyl or TCA followed 4 days later by
metribuzin, bentazon, or MCPB/MCPA were
equally effective.

OILSEED CROPS

Flax

Breeding. In over 3 yr of testing, FP 692
has outyielded Dufferin by 6% and is resistant
lodging. FP 698, an early line, has out-
yielded Linott and Dufferin by 10% and 4%,
respectively. Three other early lines out-
yielded Linott by 10% and had more oil.

Diseases. Field and greenhouse data recon-
firmed that the level of postseedling rust

resistance (PSRR) is high in Norland and
Noralta, moderate in Redwood 65, low in
Nored, and not discernible in Summit. In field
plots, yield losses due to rust were 22% and
30% in Nored and Summit, whereas losses
were negligible in cultivars of high to moder-
ate PSRR.

Management. The effectiveness of diquat as
a preharvest desiccant for flax was deter-
mined. In most cases, the leaves, capsules, and
at least the top 30% of the stem was dried,
and this was considered adequate for straight
combining. A rate to supply the active ingre-
dient at 0.28 kg/ha generally was adequate,
but rates up to 0.56 kg/ha may be required
where growth of crop or weeds is heavy, or
where faster and more complete drying is
desired. Spraying should be delayed until
normal swathing time, or possibly slightly
later.

Weed control. EPTC and triallate were the
most effective preplanting soil-incorporated
herbicides for the control of wild oats. EPTC,
metolachlor, and AC 206784 controlled green
foxtail but thorough soil incorporation was
essential. Effective postemergence herbicides
were TCA, asulam, propanil, and BAS 9052.
Bentazon, bromoxynil, linuron, picloram/
MCPA, and DPX 4189 were the most selec-
tive herbicides for the control of redroot
pigweed, lamb's-quarters, and wild mustard.
Linuron/diclofop methyl (tank mixed) con-
trolled all broad-leaved and grass types of
weeds.

Sunflower

Breeding. Sunflower hybrid CMH 101,
licensed in 1979, is higher in oil content and
earlier in maturity than most U.S. hybrids.
Two experimental hybrids, in the cooperative
tests for the first time, were higher yielding
and earlier maturing than CMH 101. Germ
plasm derived from interspecific crosses of
cultivated Helianthus annuus and three wild
Helianthus species has been released as a
possible alternate source of cytoplasmic male
sterility. Krasnodarets converted to the re-
storer and cytoplasmic male sterile form has
been released to breeders as breeding
material.

Management. Seeding on 18 June resulted
in a 32% reduction in yield compared to
seeding on 25 May. Yield increased slightly
as the population density was increased from
30 000 to 60 000 plants per hectare. Diquat

242

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

applied as a preharvest desiccant when the
seed moisture content was higher than 45%
resulted in a reduction in yield and oil
content.

Diseases. Coniothyrium minitans, the bio-
logical control agent of Sclerotinia sclerotio-
rum, on agar medium grew rapidly at 22°C
and slowly at 10°C. However, growth rate
varied greatly among isolates.

Thirteen percent of sclerotia from diseased
sunflower heads were "abnormal," showing
reduced infectivity, and were morphologically
distinct. Several female lines were resistant to
two or three diseases (rust, verticillium wilt,
and downy mildew). Two inbred lines were
found to be resistant to sclerotinia wilt.

Weed control. Wild oats left growing in
hybrid 894 for 3 wk after crop emergence did
not significantly reduce yields, although sun-
flower vigor was visibly reduced early in the
season. The compounds BAS 9052 and KK-
80 gave promise as postemergence selective
herbicides for control of wild oats, green
foxtail, and volunteer grain. Preemergence
treatments with mixtures of triallate and
dinitroanilines or chloramben appeared prom-
ising for control of wild oats, foxtail species,
and some broad-leaved weeds, but required
effective incorporation.

HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Ornamental crops

Breeding. Roses in the Parkland series have
been named for release in the spring of 1980
through the Canadian Ornamental Plant
Foundation. Morden Cardinette, a complex
hybrid, is a dwarf everblooming type with
cardinal red (RHS 53B) flowers. It has
excellent potential as a pot plant for spring
sale and later transplanting to gardens.
Morden Centennial, a disease-resistant hybrid
of Prairie Princess x [White Bouquet x
(J.W. Fargo x Assiniboine)] is a vigorous
everblooming rose suited for use as a bedding
plant.

Promising selections of trees and shrubs
being increased include hybrid ash from
crosses between Fraxinus nigra and F. mand-
shurica, dwarf globe-shaped honeysuckles
with greater hardiness than existing stan-
dards, silver-foliaged pyramidal poplars with
increased hardiness, prairie-hardy weeping
willows, and a vigorous-growing Japanese
elm.

Four chrysanthemum selections were ad-
vanced for final evaluation and selections of
penstemon, monarda, and lilies were in-
creased for testing. A hybrid lily seedling was
given the Hornback's Award from the North
American Lily Show for the lily showing the
greatest advance in hybridization.

Arboretum and evaluation. Evaluations
were continued with the 3200 entries in the
Morden arboretum. One hundred and eighty-
nine additional accessions were received as
seeds, cuttings, or plants; 10 entries were
added to the Merit Trial. Winter damage to
evergreens, particularly arborvitae and juni-
per, was assessed following the severe winter
of 1978-1979. A major survey of fire blight
was conducted on Rosaceae trees and shrubs
at the Morden Research Station and at 629
residential lots in southern Manitoba.

Propagation. Propagation by leaf-bud cut-
tings of the newly named Morden Cardinette
rose proved satisfactory for rapid plant in-
crease and a production guideline has been
prepared for pot culture. Bud take was
slightly lower for chip-budding than for
T-budding in apple, linden, hackberry, and
Japanese elm. Grafting of Japanese elm gave
up to 60% stand on Siberian elm rootstock
and compared favorably with spring budding
for propagation of Japanese elm.

Comparison of plant production of P. x
canascens Tower' from 1, 2, or 3 cm root
cuttings pretreated in peat moss at 20°C for 1,
2, or 3 wk showed that 2 cm cuttings pre-
treated for 2 wk was the most productive
combination. Auxin pretreatment with 1000
ppm IBA to the root end of the cutting did not
increase plant stand.

Nursery management. Thirty herbicide
treatments were screened against 12 orna-
mental crop species. Bifenox, alachlor, chlo-
ramben, oxadiazon, linuron, and EPTC were
generally not harmful to the crop and showed
good potential for use, or expanded use, in
nursery production. The efficacy of trifluralin
alone and in combination with alachlor or
linuron was evaluated with positive results in
six nursery crops.

Plants of 1 1 broad-leaved and coniferous
species overwintered in containers under
snow, under flax straw, and without snow
cover were evaluated for survival. Snow and
flax straw plus snow prevented cold injury to

RESEARCH STATION, MORDEN, MAN.

243

roots. The minimum recorded soil tempera-
tures in the three environments were -6.0,
-6.2, and -29.0, respectively.

Fruit breeding. Budwood of three new
prairie-hardy (Zone 2a) apples was distrib-
uted to nursery growers in the prairie region.
Westland (Heyer No. 12 x Dr. Bill) is a
large (7-8 cm) apple with fair eating quality
and good cooking quality. Parkland (Rescue
x Melba) and Norland (Rescue X Melba)
are good quality apples of medium size (6-7
cm). All three apples originated from crosses
made at Morden through the Prairie Fruit
Breeding Co-operative and were selected at
Brooks and Lacombe, Alta., and Scott, Sask.,
respectively.

Potatoes

Breeding and evaluation. From prairie,
regional, and north central trials, 22 advanced
cultivars were increased for 1980 and seven
cultivars were included in 1979 industry
trials. The present most promising cultivars
are A68678-1 (late mid-season/ French fryer),
Oneida (long storage, chipping), Atlantic
(chipping), and G712-1 (early chipping).

Cooperative trials with Fredericton have
shown enhanced yielding ability of tetrapioid
x diploid first division restitution (FDR)
hybrids. The value of this technique for
increasing potato yields was reduced by rough
and deep-eyed characteristics of presently
available FDR parents.

Quality. Sucrose rating (SR) of Norchip
and Kennebec investigated at five locations
from Nova Scotia to Alberta, with coordina-
tion at Morden, appears promising for esti-
mating maturity at harvest and proved to be a
good indicator of the breaking of tuber
dormancy and loss of chipping quality in
storage.

Herbicides. Of 14 herbicides evaluated for
control of broad-leaved weeds in potatoes,
only trifluralin or dinitramine soil-incorpo-
rated, followed by metribuzin postemergence,
outyielded the weedy checks. Norland, Nor-
chip, Netted Gem, ND8888-2, M69S06-69,
A68678-1, G712-1, Nipigon, and Purple 2126
were tolerant of metribuzin. Atlantic, Bato-
che, Oneida, and ND8891-3 were injured at
1.0 kg/ha applied postemergence while
Alaska Red and Wisconsin 729R were sus-
ceptible to metribuzin.

NEW CROPS

Jerusalem artichoke, chicory

Evaluation. Evaluations of Jerusalem arti-
choke were continued with yields of 23.0 t/ha
recorded. Chicory yields ranged from 35.9
t/ha to 49.1 t/ha.

Management. Chicory yields were in-
creased with early planting and irrigation but
reduced by hilling. Fall seeding resulted in
bolting of the crop and production of inferior
quality roots.

Quality. Cooperative research with the
University of Manitoba resulted in progress
toward development of a means to extract
inulin from plant tubers.

Pulse crops

Evaluation. In soybeans, narrow rows (20
cm) and high plant populations (80-100
plants per square metre) increased yield,
particularly of the indeterminate Portage and
McCal cultivars. Forty-one new accessions of
chickpea were evaluated; 14 of these survived
anthracnose disease and matured under Mor-
den conditions.

Weed control. Acceptable weed control and
high yields of lentils and dry beans were
obtained when a dinitroaniline type herbicide
was either tank-mixed with chloramben and
soil-incorporated, or followed by metribuzin
as a postemergence treatment. Dry beans
were also tolerant of bentazon.

Alternative grain crops

Evaluation and management . A number of
experimental lines of proso millet were identi-
fied as having good agronomic characteristics;
a large, brown-seeded line (NC22-3), which
ranked well in previous cooperative tests,
yielded 4872 kg/ha and matured in 78 days.
Forage yields of foxtail millets were as high as
6.7 t/ha (dry matter) and seed yields of 4555
kg/ha were recorded for the NC21-20 line.
Sorghum, poppy, niger, plantago, and pearl
millet lines proved marginal for crop estab-
lishment and earliness. Proso millet showed
tolerance for several commercial herbicides
including MCPA, MCPK, 2,4-D, bromoxynil,
dicamba, cyanazine, bentazon, and
metribuzin.

244

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Essential oil and spice crops

Evaluation. Variability in coriander, cara-
way, fennel, dill, and several minor crops was
assessed; promising high oil lines were con-
firmed in coriander.

Management and quality. Planting corian-
der before 100 CHU accumulation and at 4-6
cm depth improved germination and yields.

Caraway yields were improved when planted
with a press drill as compared to a disc-type
seeder. A plantation of 2.5 ha of monarda was
established with support from Agro-Man
funding. Herbicides that exhibited sufficient
selectivity in coriander and dill to warrant
further evaluation were trifluralin, triallate,
EPTC, napropamide, chloramben, diclofop
methyl, barban, and linuron.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Ali-Khan, S. T.; Zimmer, R. C. 1979. Screening of
field pea breeding lines for pea seed-borne
mosaic virus. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:171-175.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Protection of snap beans from
substituted urea injury by prior treatment with
dinitroaniline herbicides. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:535-537.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed interference in trans-
planted tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum).
Weed Sci. 27:11-13.

Gubbels, G. H. 1979. Yield, seed weight and
protein content of field peas after soil and
foliar treatments of simazine at sublethal
levels. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:253-255.

Gubbels, G. H. 1979. Yield and weight per seed in
buckwheat after foliar applications of growth
regulators and antitranspirants. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:857-859.

Hoes, J. A.; Dorrell, D. G. 1979. Detrimental and
protective effects of rust in flax plants of
varying age. Phytopathology 69:695-698.

Huang, H. C; Hoes, J. A. 1980. Importance of
plant spacing and sclerotial position to develop-
ment of sclerotinia wilt of sunflower. Plant Dis.
64:81-84.

Ronald, W. G. 1979. Jacan Japanese elm. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:267-268.

Vanstone, D. E.; Stobbe, E. H. 1979. Light require-
ment of the diphenylether herbicide, oxyfluor-
fen. Weed Sci. 27:88-90.

Zimmer, R. C. 1979. Influence of agar on immu-
nodiffusion serology of pea seed-borne mosaic
virus. Plant Dis. Rep. 63:278-282.

Miscellaneous

Ali-Khan, S. T. 1979. Report on co-operative tests
of field peas, 1978. Expert Comm. on Grain
Breeding, pp. 434-449.

Ali-Khan, S. T. 1979. Tara field peas, a new high
yielding cultivar for the West. Canadex
142.30.

Ali-Khan, S. T. 1979. Lenca, a new field pea
cultivar for Eastern Canada. Canadex 142.30.

Ali-Khan, S. T. 1979. Harvest early to maintain
good color in green field peas. Canadex 142.56.

Berkenkamp, B.; Stauffer, M. D.; Meeres, J. 1979.
Forage yields of proso millet at Lacombe.
Forage Notes 24(1 ):38-39.

Campbell, C. G. 1979. Report on co-operative tests
of buckwheat, 1978. Expert Comm. on Grain
Breeding, pp. 461-471.

Campbell, C. G. 1979. Semi-dwarf buckwheat.
Can. Agric. 24(3):5-6.

Campbell, C. G.; Chubey, B. B. 1979. Tour of
commercial and research buckwheat institutes
in Japan. Morden Station Rep. No. M-210.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Pre-emergence incorporated
herbicides for sunflowers — Screening test.
ECW, West. Res. Rep. p. 156.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Pre-emergence incorporated
herbicides for sunflowers — Triallate combina-
tions. ECW, West. Res. Rep. p. 157.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Pre-plant incorporated her-
bicides for sunflowers. ECW, West. Res. Rep.
p. 158.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Preplant incorporated her-
bicides for sunflowers — Screening. ECW,
West. Res. Rep. p. 158.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Effects of bifenox and
R-40244 on sunflowers. ECW, West. Res. Rep.
p. 159.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Post-emergence herbicides for
wild oat control in sunflowers. ECW, West.
Res. Rep. p. 160.

Chubb, W. O. 1979. Effect of BAS 9052 on
sunflowers. ECW, West. Res. Rep. p. 160.

RESEARCH STATION, MORDEN, MAN.

245

Chubey, B. B. 1979. The effect of tuber maturity at
harvest on potato chip quality out of long-term
storage. Proc. 7th Annu. Meet, of Prairie
Potato Counc. pp. 100-104.

Chubey, B. B. 1979. Predicting storage potential of
chipping potatoes using sucrose rating as a
measure of tuber maturity at harvest. 23rd
Annu. Convention, Can. Potato Chip Assoc,
Toronto. (Abstract).

Chubey, B. B. 1979. Canadian storage research on
chipping potatoes. Natl. Potato Counc. PC/
FSA Chipper-Grower Seminar, Grand Forks,
N.D. (Abstract).

Dedio, W. 1979. Report on co-operative tests of
sunflower, 1978. Expert Comm. on Grain
Breeding, pp. 451-460.

Dedio, W. 1979. Sunflower hybrids are here to stay.
Can. Agric. 24(l):7-8.

Dedio, W. 1 979. Investigation in the use of an open-
pollinated variety in hybrid combinations.
Sunflower Newsl. 3(3).

Dedio, W. 1979. Sunflower hybrid CMH 101.
Canadex 145.30.

Dedio, W. 1979. Hybrids or open-pollinated varie-
ties? Big decision for sunflower growers. Mani-
toba Co-operator, p. 13a.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Control of broadleaved weeds
in flax. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(l):78-79.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Control of green foxtail in flax.
Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West.
Sect.) 26(l):79-80.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Control of wild oats in flax.
Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West.
Sect.) 26(1):80.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Evaluation of new and old
formulations of bromoxynil and asulam on
flax. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(1):80-81.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Methods of incorporating
metolachlor and trifluralin in flax. Res. Rep.,
Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)
26(l):81-82.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. DPX 4189 and linuron for
weed control in flax. Res. Rep., Expert Comm.
on Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1):82.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. New herbicides in flax. Res.
Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)

26(l):82-83.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. BAS 9052 with and without
oil for green foxtail control in flax. Res. Rep.,
Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)
26(l):83-84.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Beans, dry and soy: a sum-
mary. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(1):166.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Broad spectrum weed control
in soybeans. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1): 169- 170.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Post-planting herbicide devel-
opment in soybeans. Res. Rep., Expert Comm.
on Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1 ): 1 70- 1 7 1 .

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Control of grass-type weeds in
dry beans. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(0:171-172.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Broad spectrum weed control
in dry beans. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1): 172- 173.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Control of green foxtail in field
peas. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(1):186-187.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Broad spectrum weed control
in field peas. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1):187-188.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Dill tolerance to herbicides.
Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West.
Sect.) 26(1):206.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Coriander tolerance to her-
bicides. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(1):207.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Proso millet tolerance to
herbicides. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(l):207-208.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Buckwheat tolerance to
herbicides. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(1):215.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed control in lentils. Res.
Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)
26(l):236-237.

Friesen, G. H. 1979.
Expert Comm.
26(3):73.

Flax: a summary. Res. Rep.,
on Weeds (West. Sect.)

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Broad spectrum weed control
in sweet corn. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(3):78-79.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Sweet corn variety tolerance to
Eradicane and Sutan + . Res. Rep., Expert
Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(3):79.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. New herbicides and mixtures
in sweet corn. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(3):79-80.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Herbicides to control
broadleafed weeds in sweet corn. Res. Rep.,
Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)
26(3):80-81.

246

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed control in potatoes. Res.
Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West. Sect.)
26(3):112.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Potato variety tolerance to
metribuzin. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(3): 1 1 2- 1 1 3.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed control in canning peas,
processing tomatoes, early market tomatoes,
direct-seeded tomatoes, sweet corn, pickling
cucumbers, and snap beans. Can. Hortic.
Counc, Rep. of the Comm. on Hortic. Res.
57:88-89.

Friesen, G. H. 1979. Weed competition in early
tomatoes. Can. Hortic. Counc, Rep. of the
Comm. on Hortic. Res. 47:89-90.

Giesbrecht, J. 1979. Good corn crops coaxed by
careful management. Manitoba Co-ODerator

;orecnt, J. iv/v. uooa corn crops coaxea oy
careful management. Manitoba Co-operator
36(31): 8a.

Giesbrecht, J.; Gross, H.; Helgason, S. B. 1978.
Manitoba Regional Corn Performance Tests.
Rep. No. 22. 38 pp.

Hoes, J. A. 1978. Disease resistance of sunflower
hybrid cultivars. Man. Agronomists' Conf., pp.
81-82.

Hoes, J. A.; Kenaschuk, E. O. 1979. Occurrence of
postseedling resistance to Melampsora Uni in
flax. (Abstr.). Proc. Can. Phytopathol. Soc,
June 25-27, Lethbridge.

Hoes, J. A.; Kenaschuk, E. O. 1979. Flax disease
studies. Focus on Research, pp. 13-14.

Huang, H. C. 1979. Biological control of sclerotinia
wilt (a progress report for P.I.L.P. — Sclero-
tinia project, CSP Foods Ltd.).

Huang, H. C. 1979. Control of sclerotinia wilt of
sunflower by Coniothyrium minitans. Proc.
Can. Phytopathol. Soc, June 25-27,
Lethbridge.

Huang, H. C. 1979. Biological control of Sclero-
tinia wilt in sunflower. Can. Agric 24(3):1 2-
14.

Kenaschuk, E. O. 1979. Report on co-operative
tests of flax, 1978. Expert Comm. on Grain
Breeding, pp. 400-423.

Marshall, H. H. 1979. Index Seminum. 5 pp.

Molund, V.; Hoehn, E.; Chubey, B. B. 1979. Effects
of seeding and harvesting time on the quality
of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) grown in
Manitoba. Annu. Conf. Can. Inst. Food Sci.
Technol. (Abstract).

Ronald, W. G. 1978. Progress in breeding adapted
apples for the Prairie Provinces. Proc. Can.
Soc. Hortic. Sci. 17:40.

Ronald, W. G. 1978. Prairie fruit breeding co-
operative. Proc. West. Can. Soc. Hortic. Sci.
34:63-68.

Ronald, W. G. 1978. Virus certification of prairie
fruit cultivars. Proc. West. Can. Soc. Hortic.
Sci. 34:91-93.

Ronald, W. G.; Kondo, E. S. 1979. Disease resist-
ant elms. Canadex 275.

Ronald, W. G.; Marshall, H. H. 1978. Research
needs in ornamentals. Proc. Can. Soc. Hortic.
Sci. 17:44-50.

Ronald, W. G.; Temmerman, H. J. 1979. Tree
fruits for the Prairie Provinces. Agric. Can.
Publ. 1672.41 pp.

Russell, W. A. 1978. Progress report of Prairie
Regional Trials.

Russell, W. A. 1979. Report of Prairie Regional
Potato Trials. Proc. Prairie Potato Counc. 7:5-
8.

Staufler, M. D. 1979. Report on the new crops co-
operative test, 1978. Expert Comm. on Grain
Breeding, pp. 472-484.

Staufler, M. D. 1979. Lentil yield responsive under
critical management rules. Manitoba Co-oper-
ator 36(31): 7a.

Staufler, M. D.; Chubey, B. B. 1979. Spice crops:
production potential in the prairies. Can.
Agric 24:26-28.

Vanstone, D. E. 1979. Ornamentals research at
Morden. Landscape Trades 1(1):10-11.

Vanstone, D. E. 1978. Basswood (Tilia americana
L.) seed germination. Proc. Int. Plant Prop.
Soc. 28:566-569.

Vanstone, D. E.; Hiebert, H. 1979. Weed control in
nursery liners. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on
Weeds (West. Sect.) 26(3):149.

Vanstone, D. E.; Hiebert, H. 1979. Weed control in
pear seedlings using three formulations of
linuron. Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds
(West. Sect.) 26(3): 149.

Vanstone, D. E.; Hiebert, H. 1979. Tolerance
screening trial of herbicides in nursery liners.
Res. Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (West.
Sect.) 26(3): 1 50-1 51.

Weaver, S. E.; Friesen, G. H. 1979. Evaluation of
herbicides for strawberry establishment. Res.
Rep., Expert Comm. on Weeds (East. Sect.)
24:299.

Zimmer, R. C; Morrall, R. A. A. 1979. Guidelines
for the control of plant diseases in Western
Canada. Chap. 9: Diseases of special field
crops, 29 pp. [Under auspices of the Western
Committee on Plant Disease Control
(WCPDC)].

RESEARCH STATION, MORDEN, MAN.

247

Research Station
Winnipeg, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

R. Rohringer, Dr. sc. agr.
M. D. Hamilton

Acting Director
Administrative Officer

Scientific Support

M. Malyk,' B.Sc, M.Sc, M.L.S.
W. Romanow, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Librarian

Scientific Liaison Officer

Cereal Breeding

D. Leisle, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

V. M. Bendelow, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. Brown, B.S.A., M.Sc

A. B. Campbell, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. M. Czarnecki, B.S.A.

P. L. Dyck, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. R. Kerber, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. G. Kosmolak, B.Sc, Ph.D.

M. I. P. Kovacs, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. R. Metcalfe, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. I. H. McKenzie, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. S. Noll, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Durum wheat
breeding
Cereal chemistry
Oat breeding
Common wheat breeding
Common wheat breeding
Wheat genetics
Wheat cytogenetics
Cereal chemistry
Cereal chemistry
Barley breeding and genetics
Oat breeding and genetics
Physiology

Cereal Diseases

R. Rohringer, Dr. sc. agr.

C. C. Gill, B.Sc, Ph.D.

G. J. Green, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. E. Harder, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
N. K. Howes, B.Sc, Ph.D.

W. K. Kim, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Molecular biology
of cereal rust
Viruses

Wheat stem rust
Oat crown rust
Molecular biology
Molecular biology of cereal rust

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

249

J. W. Martens, B.Sc., Ph.D.

J. T. Mills, B.Sc, Ph.D., D.I.C.

J. J. Nielsen, Dr. sc. agr.

D. J. Samborski, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. Tekauz, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

P. L. Thomas, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Oat stem rust

Seed storage pathology, fungicides

Smuts

Wheat leaf rust

Leaf diseases

Microbial genetics, smuts

Cereal Crop Protection

F. L. Watters, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. Abramson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
P. S. Barker, I.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. R. Loschiavo, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. Romanow, B.S.A., M.Sc.
R. N. Sinha, B.Sc, Ph.D.

L. B. Smith, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
P. H. Westdal, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Storage pest

control

Mycotoxicology
Biology and control of stored grain

pests
Stored grain insect biology
Insect surveys and control
Ecology of granary insects, mites,

and fungi

Population dynamics
Biology and control of field crop

insects

Integrated Pest Control

W. J. Turnock, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. L. Ayre, B.S.A., M.Sc

R. P. Bodnaryk, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. K. Bracken, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. E. Bûcher, B.S., M.A., Ph.D.

G. H. Gerber,2 B.S.A., Ph.D.

B. M. Hegdekar, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. J. Lamb, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. G. Wylie, B.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Ecology and
population dynamics
Insect ecology
Nutritional physiology
Physiology and behavior
Insect pathology
Reproductive physiology
Reproductive biochemistry
Systems biology
Host-parasite relations

Departures

K. W. Buchannon, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Deceased 29 July 1979

A. W. Chiko, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Resigned 30 November 1979

B. Marchylo, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Resigned 29 December 1978

W. C. McDonald, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
Retired 28 December 1979

Head, Cereal Breeding Section

Viruses

Cereal chemistry
Director

250

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

VISITING SCIENTISTS

Visiting fellowship

J. Singleton-Smith, B.A., M.S., Ph.D. Sensory physiology

Research Associate

H. A. H. Wallace, B.Sc, M.Sc. Microflora of stored seed

Graduate students

C. Aitchison, B.Sc., M.Sc. Entomology

A. Al-Hitty, B.Sc. Entomology

B. S. Joia, B.Sc, M.Sc. Entomology

G. Musa, B.S.A. Plant pathology

P. Sudermann, B.S.A. Plant breeding

L. Wong, B.S.A. Plant breeding

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

2On transfer of work to the Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
B.C., August 1979 to July 1980.

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN. 251

INTRODUCTION

Work at the Winnipeg Research Station concerns three broad areas of responsibility:
development of improved varieties of cereals adapted to regions of the Canadian prairies,
research on the protection of stored seed and other agricultural products, and research on the
integrated control of insect pests of field crops.

Improvement of cereal varieties, historically the first mandate of the Research Station,
involves close cooperation between plant breeders, geneticists, plant pathologists, and
researchers concerned with quality screening of lines under development. The latest variety
produced as a result of their combined efforts, the common wheat Benito, was licensed in 1979.
It is the first of a new generation of bread wheats, containing more than one gene for leaf rust
resistance in addition to resistance to stem rust and smuts, and incorporating excellent
agronomic characteristics, particularly early maturity.

Research on the preservation of grain and oilseeds and their products is national in scope
and involves cooperation with the Plant Protection Division and the Canadian Grain
Commission. Control of pests by radiation was conducted in cooperation with the Institute of
Physics, University of Mexico.

Research on the control of field crop insects, particularly those that attack rapeseed,
through the use of newer chemicals and the development of a management system of
integrated pest control is the third area of responsibility at this Station.

This year we were saddened by the death of two members of our research staff. We would
like to pay tribute to Dr. Thorvaldur Johnson, a former Director of the Research Station and
one of the original staff when the Station was founded in 1925. Dr. Johnson contributed much
to the cooperative spirit that developed at the Station between researchers of differing
disciplines. As rust pathologist he acquired international fame, and he will always be
remembered by his colleagues for his kindness and humanitarianism. Dr. Johnson passed away
on 15 September 1979, 17 yr after his retirement. The untimely death, 29 July 1979, of Dr.
Ken W. Buchannon, Head of the Cereal Breeding Section, came as a heavy loss to the research
community. He had just been appointed as Director of the Morden Research Station. During
his 26 yr research career he had received wide recognition for his development of barley lines
resistant to cereal diseases.

Further information summarized in this report can be obtained from: Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Man. R3T 2M9.

R. Rohringer
Acting Director

BREEDING, GENETICS, AND
CYTOGENETICS

Common wheat

The line B.W. 20 was licensed as the
cultivar Benito. Its major attributes are a
combination of good yield with earlier matur-
ity. The 3rd yr of Cooperative testing of the
line B.W. 37 was completed. This line, a
Neepawa*6/R.L. 4137 backcross, continues
to appear promising from the standpoint of
sprouting resistance and low a-amylase activ-
ity.

Research on sprouting resistance showed
that the testing period for this characteristic

can be extended beyond the immediate har-
vest period by storage of the seeds at sub-zero
temperature or use of high temperatures
(30°C) for germination. These tests, in addi-
tion to the development of a rain simulator,
enabled the expansion of testing for sprouting
resistance.

Genetic analysis of the cultivar Terenzio
indicated that its leaf rust resistance is
controlled by two interacting genes: a 'major'
and a 'minor' gene. In the greenhouse both
genes are required for seedling and adult
plant resistance; however, in the field the
'major' gene appears to give full resistance.

Utilization of wheat relatives as sources of
rust resistance included: development of two
leaf rust resistant hexaploids using two strains

252

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

of Aegilops squarrosa L.; and transfer of
stem rust resistance from Triticum longis-
simum (Scheinf. & Muschli in Muschli)
Bowden and T. monococcum L. to hexaploid
cultivars.

In tests for resistance to 20 races or
cultures of stem rust, it was shown that
Canthatch nullisomic 7D and Tetra Can-
thatch were more resistant than normal
Canthatch and ditelosomic 7DL. It was
concluded that chromosome 7DL of Can-
thatch carries a gene, or genes, that sup-
presses resistance conferred by other chromo-
somes of the complement.

Durum wheat

Coulter continued to increase in the area
occupied, particularly in Manitoba, where it
was the second-place durum wheat cultivar at
31.5% of the area. The most advanced line,
D.T. 427, in 3 yr of testing yielded 106% and
112% of Coulter and Wascana, respectively,
in the Black soil zone.

A cooperative project on assessment of
durum wheat quality testing, involving 30
cultivars of diverse gluten strength, was
continued for a 2nd yr. Assessment of the
sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation
test showed that it is highly correlated with
other measures of gluten strength, such as the
mixogram. This test appears to be a promising
quality screening tool. Further analysis of the
30 cultivars by polyacrylamide gel electropho-
resis confirmed reports of other workers that
gluten strength is associated with banding of
endosperm proteins. Two bands with desig-
nated relative mobilities of 42 and 45 appear
to be involved.

Barley

The two-rowed barley line, T.R. 206,
performed well in the 3rd yr of the Coopera-
tive test. This line combines good malting
quality with strong straw, high test weight,
resistance to stem rust and net blotch, and
good yield.

A study was conducted on harvesting (hand
versus Hege combine) and drying (natural
versus heated air) methods for experimental
plots. Quality analysis indicated that harvest-
ing methods affected protein content and
amylase activity; drying methods affected
protein content and viscosity.

Modifications were made to the test for
hordein and the automated enzyme assays,

which improved the quality screening pro-
grams. An automated method for determining
soluble carbohydrates was also developed.

Oats

The line O.T. 210 continued to perform
well in the 2nd yr of the Western Cooperative
oat test. In contrast to the check cultivars, it
has good resistance to prevailing races of stem
and crown rust, and smut. Its yield has been
equal to Hudson, with height and straw
strength similar to Random.

Further advances were made in combining
good agronomic characteristics and disease
resistance. A number of good yielding lines in
the rust area test have excellent kernel type,
good rust and smut resistance, and apparent
tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus.

CEREAL RUSTS

Rust surveys

Stem rust of wheat. The 1978 physiologic
race survey showed that the wheat stem rust
population continues to be widely variable, as
it has been since 1974. Nineteen races,
including four new ones, were identified using
single gene differential hosts. The main races
(C53, C33, and C25) were unchanged from
1977. Although race C25 has moderate
virulence on seedlings of some widely grown
varieties, there was no evidence that any race
seriously threatened resistant commercial
varieties or advanced plant breeders material.

Results for 1979 show that, as in 1978,
nearly all the rust on foxtail barley was rye
stem rust. This ubiquitous, susceptible grass
was the main source of samples of wheat stem
rust for the race survey prior to 1978. In 1978
and 1979, samples for the survey were ob-
tained from plots of the susceptible cultivar
Klein Titan specially planted at various
locations across Western Canada. Fifty or
more samples were obtained from each of five
plots of Klein Titan in 1978. However,
intensive sampling from a few plots cannot be
regarded as adequate for a thorough race
survey. In 1979 the number of plots was
doubled but unfavorable weather prevented
rust development in several of them, espe-
cially the most westerly ones. The only
available solution to the sampling problem
posed by highly resistant commercial varieties
and a sharp change in the rust population on
foxtail barley is to collect intensively from an
increased number of plantings of susceptible

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

253

cultivars across Western Canada. Hopefully
any new races capable of threatening com-
mercial cultivars will not go undetected.

Leaf rust of wheat. Races of wheat leaf rust
were identified in 1978 using 19 backcross
lines with single genes for resistance as
differential varieties. Lines with resistance
genes Lrll, Lrl6, LrI9, Lr21, and T4 X P.I.
58548 were resistant to all isolates. Twenty-
eight virulence combinations on the remaining
14 genes for resistance were identified. There
were no changes in the leaf rust population
that affected advanced breeders' lines or
resistance sources used in current breeding
programs at Winnipeg.

Leaf rust was widespread in Ontario in
1978 and greenhouse tests were carried out
during the winter on Frederick and Talbot,
the most important winter wheat cultivars
grown in Ontario. Frederick appears to have
only one gene, Lrl, for seedling resistance and
no additional resistance at the adult plant
stage. Talbot has an unidentified seedling
gene, or genes, that condition resistance to
most, but not all, isolates of leaf rust from
Ontario and has additional resistance at the
adult plant stage.

Oat stem rust. Oat stem rust developed
throughout Manitoba and eastern Saskatche-
wan by late August but crop losses were
limited to the western part of the Red River
Valley in Manitoba where severe infections at
the early dough stage caused heavy losses in
late-seeded fields. Several rare races of oat
stem rust have been identified but none of
these threaten lines going forward for ad-
vanced testing.

Oat crown rust. The physiologic race survey
for 1978 revealed no important changes in
crown rust races. In 1979 crown rust devel-
oped sporadically. Moderate to severe damage
occurred only in a few fields in the western
Red River Valley of Manitoba.

In a detailed study of the fine structure of
the haustorial mother cell haustorium in
Puccinia coronata Cda., extensive histochemi-
cal tests were utilized. They revealed the
sequential development of various parts of the
haustorial apparatus.

Resistance to the rusts

Wheat leaf rust resistance genes LrTy
LrEG, Lrl 3, Lrl 4, and Lr22 have been
incorporated into Napayo and Benito back-
grounds, and transfer of other genes to these
cultivars was continued in the past year.

Three hundred new oat accessions from
Turkey and Iran were evaluated for stem rust
and crown rust resistance. One hexaploid line
with intermediate resistance to stem rust and
a good range of resistance to crown rust were
found. About 1000 accessions in the genetic
resource development program were increased
for storage in the Ottawa gene bank.

Inheritance studies with oats demonstrated
the genetic basis of resistance to stem rust
conferred by genes Pg-15 and the Pg-a
complex. Genetic studies on crown rust resist-
ance in Avena sterilis L. revealed two 'major'
genes and a third 'minor' gene in accession
CAV 3548. Genetic studies on accessions
CAV 1358 and CAV 1376 demonstrated that
at least three complimentary 'minor' genes
are responsible for their resistance.

Molecular biology of the cereal rusts

Lectins conjugated to ferritin as electron-
dense markers were found to be unsuitable as
histochemical reagents because they bound
nonspecifically to the plastic embedding mate-
rial in ultrathin sections. Lectins have been
conjugated with gold particles to avoid non-
specific binding. Rust colonies were isolated
from infected wheat leaves in high yield with
a minimum of contaminating host material,
but their viability was low and they did not
contain haustoria. It is not known if the
hyphal walls have been modified during
enzymatic maceration of the infected leaves.
Purified germ tube walls were found to
contain little fucose. This methylpentose is
present in large amounts in nonpurified germ
tubes and is characteristic for most cell
surfaces. Evidently, fucose-containing macro-
molecules have been lost during cell wall
purification, necessitating the use of more
gentle extraction techniques. Extracts from
near-isogenic lines of wheat leaves have been
fractionated into 75 proteins using a two-
dimensional gel electrophoresis/isoelectric
focusing system. Two additional proteins were
detected in the Sr6 line near the limit of
detection, requiring a more sensitive visual-
ization technique.

254

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

OTHER CEREAL DISEASES

Viruses

Smuts

Smut was found in 78% and 73% of the
barley fields examined in 1978 and 1979,
respectively. Analysis of collections obtained
from barley in 1978 revealed no change in the
biotypes present, although two collections
from Ontario were virulent on the widely used
Jet type of resistance to loose smut. A
collection of loose smut on wheat obtained in
1978 in Western Canada yielded a race of
Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr. that is virulent
on the durum wheat cultivar Wakooma.

In searching for new races that could assist
in breeding programs, 13 collections of loose
smut of wheat from Turkey, Iran, Yugoslavia,
Pakistan, and Brazil were tested. Race T26,
with virulence on Wakooma, and race T27,
which is virulent on the general suscept but
avirulent on the other 18 differential cultivars,
were identified in the Turkish collections.

Infection studies with the cereal and related
smuts revealed the following new hosts:
Hordeum pusillum Nutt. (native to North
America) and H. hexaploidum Covas (native
to South America) are susceptible to both U.
tritici and U. nuda (Jens.) Rostr.; H. roshe-
vitzii Bowden is susceptible to U. tritici;
Agropyron fibrosum (Schrenk) Nevski and
Elymus canadensis L. are susceptible to U.
turcomanica Tranzsch.; A. caninum (L.) P.
Beauv., A. fibrosum, E. dahuricus Turcz.,
and H. jubatum L. are new hosts for U.
aegilopsidis Picbauer.

Foliage diseases

A search for resistance in barley to Pyreno-
phora graminea (Ito & Kurib.), the cause of
leaf stripe, by testing 38 cultivars with four
isolates of the pathogen, revealed that the
cultivar Betzes is immune and Fairfield and
Palliser are resistant. The remainder of the
cultivars in the test are susceptible. Six-row
barleys tended to be more susceptible than
two-row cultivars.

Field inoculation of the barley cultivars
Klages and T.R. 206 with P. teres (Died.)
Drechsl., the fungus causing net blotch, was
carried out successfully. Multiple inoculation
resulted in the greatest disease development.
Symptoms were significantly less severe on
T.R. 206, which is a resistant selection, than
on Klages.

About 1800 lines and cultivars of oats were
inoculated in field plots with a virulent strain
(aphid nonspecific) of barley yellow dwarf
virus (BYDV). At least two new lines were
found to have a useful degree of tolerance and
the tolerance found earlier in some other lines
was confirmed.

A greenhouse trial in which several lines
and cultivars of two-rowed barley were inocu-
lated with BYDV revealed that T.R. 206, a
line developed at Brandon, was tolerant. This
line is now being used in the Winnipeg
program. Advanced lines of six-rowed barley
from Brandon with the Yd2 gene were tested
in a growth cabinet with BYDV. Some of the
lines showed a high degree of tolerance to the
virus.

The median latent periods of three strains
of BYDV in the aphid vector were deter-
mined. The latent period per aphid was
defined as the time lapse from the start of the
acquisition feeding period to the middle of the
inoculation day during which transmission of
an infectious dose of virus first occurred. At
1 5°C and 20°C, the median latent periods for
Sitobion avenae (Fab.) with S. avenae-spe-
cific isolate 6407 were 65.5 and 44.5 h,
respectively; for Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)
with R. padi-specific isolate 6524 the values
were 50.1 and 35.0 h. A decrease equivalent
to 50% in the median latent periods for a
10°C increase in temperature was found with
the two aphid-specific isolates but the de-
crease was more than 50% with the aphid-
nonspecific isolate.

Inefficient transmission of isolate C4 of
barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) from
barley to wild oats, followed by highly effi-
cient transmission of the isolate from infected
to healthy wild oats, was previously noted and
this pattern of transmission was attributed to
strain selection. In another series of transmis-
sion tests, the efficiency with which isolate C4
was transmitted from barley to wild oats
increased with the number of times (one to
three) the isolate had been previously passed
through wild oats. After three previous con-
secutive passages through wild oats, the
isolate was transmitted from barley to nearly
all wild oat plants inoculated. These results
suggest that complete separation of strains
comprising isolate C4 did not occur until after
three consecutive passages of the isolate
through wild oats.

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

255

STORED PRODUCTS PROTECTION

Biology

In laboratory tests on the keeping quality of
a hull-less variety of oats, cv. Terra, viability
was lost more rapidly than in the hulled
variety Random at 20°C and 90-100% rela-
tive humidity (RH). This was probably
because of the greater Pénicillium infection
that occurred in the Terra oats. Fat acidity
values of Terra oats increased rapidly with
KOH from 35 mg/100 g of seed to 87-118
mg/100 g of seed, when seeds were stored at
90-100% RH. Terra oats provided a more
favorable substrate for the multiplication of
the mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae
(Schrank), Acarus farris (Oudemans), and
Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) than did
Random oats. Each of two 11.5 t lots of
mature Terra oats of 9.7-10.5% moisture
content stored in wooden farm bins in Mani-
toba, during 1976-1978, were stored safely
with very low levels of infestation by prehar-
vest fungi and insects, and negligible quality
loss for up to about 20 mo. Later, when grain
moisture content in the bottom layers of grain
in each of the bins rose from 10 to 13-16%,
heavy floor level infestations by the fungi
Pénicillium and Aspergillus versicolor
(Vuill.) Tiraboschi, and mites Caloglyphus
berlesei (Michael) and Tarsonemus granar-
ius (Lindquist) occurred. With time, fat
acidity values rose from 1st yr KOH levels of
about 30 to 50-78 mg/100 g of dry grain.
Populations of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Ste-
phens) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)
introduced to one bin did poorly during the
first summer and failed to survive during the
2nd yr. A third species of beetle, Oryzaephi-
lus surinamensis (Linnaeus), continued to
multiply in small numbers after 22 mo.

Guidelines for safe storage of rapeseed
based on mycological and biochemical assess-
ment and expressed in terms of seed moisture
and temperature at binning were prepared.
With these guidelines it was possible to
predict whether or not seed should be dried
before storage. Studies on the deterioration of
dried and moist freshly harvested rapeseed in
small-scale drum experiments showed that
deterioration of moist seed began within 24 h
of harvest but was slowed by drying. After 67
wk storage, moist seed, unlike dried seed, had
reduced viability and high levels of posthar-
vest spoilage molds. Mycological and other
changes occurring in stored crops in the Red

River Valley after the 1979 flood were investi-
gated in laboratory flood-simulation experi-
ments. Aflatoxin B, at 425 ppb was present in
flax from a flooded bin at Morris. Mold
development occurred in the bin as a result of
upward movement of water and also from
wave action. From these studies guidelines
were derived for optimal salvage, by produc-
ers, of grain from flood-damaged bins.

Ochratoxin A, a potent mycotoxin affecting
the liver and kidneys, was formed in barley
and wheat but not in oats stored in a farm
granary in Manitoba during the summer and
fall of 1979. Detectable amounts found in
wheat and barley after 4 wk increased after
20 wk to 640 ppb in wheat and 3850 ppb in
barley. To explore the suitability of fungal
odors as an early warning sign of mycotoxin
formation, intergranular air from the crops
was analyzed by gas chromatography. The
well-known fungal odors 3-methyl-l-butanol,
3-octanone, and 1-octanol increased 10- to 15-
fold by 7 wk, and declined to control levels by
16 wk.

A flour beetle assay, developed at the
Research Station, was used to evaluate pro-
tein quality in barley. Larval development
time of Tribolium confusum Jacqueline du
Val was significantly shorter on three high-
lysine barley lines than on two lines and two
cultivars with low-lysine content. The bioas-
say was used to determine the effect of
interaction between three diets and five
temperatures from 25 to 35°C. The effect was
most pronounced on the poorest diet (a hull-
less barley line) at the lowest and highest
temperatures.

Studies of the life history of the larger grain
borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), a
major pest of stored corn in Mexico, have
shown that because of its susceptibility to low
temperatures it is unlikely to become a pest of
unheated storages in the Prairie Provinces. It
has been reported from British Columbia. It
can complete its development in 30 days at
30°C and 70% RH on crushed wheat or
crushed corn. The lower limit of development
is 18°C. It has the ability to become estab-
lished in regions of British Columbia and
Eastern Canada that are not subject to
prolonged periods below the development
threshold temperature.

256

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Control

The effect of rapidly lowering the tempera-
ture of stored grain was studied on the rusty
grain beetle and the foreign grain beetle, a
fungus-feeding beetle similiar in size to the
rusty grain beetle and often mistaken for it by
farmers and elevator managers. When adults
of each species were exposed to a temperature
decrease from 15°C to -5°C within 1 h and
maintained at the lower temperature for 1 wk,
the mortality of the rusty grain beetle was
38% in contrast to 100% mortality of the
foreign grain beetle. To achieve complete
mortality of rusty grain beetles, a tempera-
ture decrease from 15°C to -15°C was re-
quired. These results indicate that cooling
grain quickly below freezing would eliminate
foreign grain beetles but not rusty grain
beetles, unless a temperature of about -15°C
was obtained.

In cooperation with the University of
Mexico, experiments with a pilot plant elec-
tron accelerator showed that radiation effec-
tiveness for the control of T. castaneum in
stored corn was a function of the applied dose
(7-25 krad) but not of radiation intensity,
expressed as dose rate (1.9-30 krad/min).
Radiation was more effective than fumigants
against immature stages of T. castaneum.

Techniques were developed for testing the
effectiveness of carbon disulfide (CS2) for the
control of the mite L. destructor in wheat.
CS2 at a rate of 10 mL/100 kg wheat killed
eggs and mobile mites satisfactorily, but mites
in the immobile hypopal stage survived.
Reinfestation of wheat by the mite after
treatment with CS2 is probably due to the
tolerance of the hypopi for the fumigant.

Pine wood sawdust impregnated with mala-
thion at 20.5 mg of active insecticide per
gram of sawdust provided complete control of
T. castaneum adults on treated concrete
surfaces for 12 wk. By contrast, malathion
sprayed on concrete at 1 g/m2 was effective
for up to 3 days after treatment. Treated
sawdust applied to wood or metal surfaces
persisted for 16 wk against T. castaneum
adults.

A trap incorporating silica gel and an
attractive food (oatmeal or sunflower seeds)
on an adhesive-coated base was developed and
used successfully in laboratory tests to control
merchant grain beetles. Oviposition by red
flour beetles was almost totally suppressed
after a 1 wk exposure to wheat treated with
BAY SRA-1660 at 10 ppm in hexane or

absolute alcohol. Survival was 98% in wheat
treated with either solvent, but progeny
production was lower and progeny mortality
higher in hexane-treated than in alcohol-
treated wheat.

FIELD CROP INSECTS

Grasshopper surveys

The forecast of grasshopper infestations in
Manitoba for 1980 showed that the area
infested had more than doubled, and the
density of populations was expected to be
twice that of 1979. Of the area expected to be
infested by grasshoppers in 1980, 2207 km2
were rated light, 1284 km2 moderate, and 31 1
km2 severe, for a total of 3802 km2. The
largest area was in the south-central part of
the province and extended from Neepawa and
Gladstone south to the Assiniboine River.
Infestations were largely light to moderate
with a severe infestation located between
Arizona and Lavenham. The second largest
area was east of the Red River and covered
the southern third of De Salaberry Munici-
pality and most of the Municipality of Frank-
lin. Infestations were light throughout, except
for a small area between Green Ridge and
Tolstoi which was severely infested.

Sugar beet insects

Counter, Lorsban, Temik, and Dacamox, as
in-furrow granular treatments, were effective
against the sugarbeet root maggot and against
wireworms and cutworms. Yields of beets
treated with these materials were 15-18%
greater than those of beets treated with
Furadan.

A number of insecticides were effective
against the Colorado potato beetle when
applied as foliar sprays. Treated potatoes
yielded 110-450% more than untreated
potatoes.

INTEGRATED CONTROL OF
INSECT PESTS

Flea beetles

Flea beetles were again the major insect
pest of rape in Manitoba in 1979. Most
growers used either an in-furrow application
of granular insecticide or seed treatments to
minimize damage to newly germinated seed-
lings. Several of the insecticides tested as seed

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

257

dressings for the control of flea beetles on rape
provided seedling protection during emer-
gence, but most were ineffective thereafter.
Oftanol, which was outstanding in 1978,
provided some protection in the postemer-
gence period in tests in 1979; this was
reflected in a significant yield increase (9%)
over that of untreated rape. Lindane-based
seed dressings were ineffective in terms of
yield response. In-furrow granular treatments
were moderately to highly effective and were
generally associated with reduced plant dam-
age and enhanced plant development and
yield; plots treated with Facam, a new entry
in 1979, yielded about 15% more than un-
treated plots. There was no difference in
effectiveness of a lindane seed dressing when
applied, for control of flea beetles, with a
discer-seeder or a seed drill, but an in-furrow
treatment with Furadan granules was less
effective with the discer than with the drill;
seed and granules are more widely dispersed
with a discer than with a drill.

Flooding from the Red River in spring
hampered establishment studies of the Euro-
pean braconid parasite Microctonus bicolor
Wesmael. This parasite had been released in
1978 in an attempt to reduce the abundance
of Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyl-
lotreta striolata (F.), the two most important
flea beetle pests of rapeseed in Manitoba.
Additional releases of M. bicolor were made
during July, August, and September 1979.
Laboratory tests indicated that M. bicolor
preferred or survived better on P. striolata
than on P. cruciferae. Studies of color varia-
bility in the native parasite Microctonus
vittatae Mues were completed. Additional
details of the biology, life history, and host
preferences of M. vittatae were obtained.

Trap strips of winter rape (Brassica napus
(L.) and B. campestris (L.)) were sown by
growers around two fields in the Dugald area.
A third field was used as a control. Prelimi-
nary analyses indicate that the flea beetle
density was much higher in the trap strips
than in the main crop in both spring and fall.
Insecticidal spraying was effective in killing
large numbers of beetles but late planting,
uneven germination, and the generally low
numbers of flea beetles make the results less
conclusive than was hoped. Work on an index
of rape seedling damage was delayed because
the planned sowing area and adjacent pest
overwintering areas were flooded. The effects
of trap height and weather on sticky-trap
catches of flea beetles were assessed. The

method continues to show promise as a
management tool farmers might use prior to
seeding, to anticipate invasions of rape fields
by the pest.

The population densities of flea beetle life
stages were assessed in two varieties of rape
and one variety of mustard. Observations that
spring adults show feeding preferences among
varieties were confirmed and quantified, with
the order of preference being Candle, Tower,
and Gisilba. These preferences were also
reflected in oviposition rates and densities of
the next generation of beetles. Laboratory and
field studies showed that pod hairiness confer-
red protection to mustard pods whereas
adjacent smooth rape pods were heavily
damaged.

During the diapause phase of Phyllotreta
cruciferae two different refractory periods
were discovered: a thermorefractory period
beginning from the onset of diapause and
lasting 3-5 wk during which time the insects
are insensitive to higher temperatures (e.g.
25°C); and a photorefractory period, lasting
till past winter solstice, when the beetles enter
the phase of quiescence. The beetles are cold
hardy during this period and during quies-
cence. The acquisition of diapause characters,
especially the thermorefractory quality, is an
adaption by these insects to overcome any
short periods of high temperatures during late
summer and autumn. Phyllotreta striolata
has a reproductive diapause (gonotrophic
dissociation). As in P. cruciferae, five differ-
ent physiological phases can be differentiated
as prediapause, diapause, quiescence, matura-
tion, and oviposition phases in the adult life.
The morphological, physiological, and behav-
ioral characteristics of these phases are
similar to those of P. cruciferae. Further, the
field populations were distinguished into four
categories as early-spring, late-spring, fall,
and winter populations. Early-spring popula-
tions (late April) laid eggs for a period of 30-
40 days and no more eggs were laid after that
time (unlike P. cruciferae). Late-spring popu-
lations (late May) were erratic in their
oviposition habit. A definite temperature
preference was established. P. striolata prefer
20°C to 25°C for ovarian maturation (unlike
P. cruciferae). A laboratory-reared F, genera-
tion of 100 flea beetles produced 700 L, larvae
for which 50 F2 adults were reared on radish
slices. No eggs were obtained from the F2
generation and the culture was not sustained.
Juvenile hormone, applied topically either as
an initial or as a weekly treatment, did not

258

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

increase oviposition of field collected beetles.
The rate at which beetles resumed reproduc-
tive cycling after being field collected was
positively associated with intensity of illu-
minaton. Confining adults over rape seedlings
growing on damp filter paper is an improved
method for collecting and hatching eggs and
maintaining newly hatched larvae.

Bertha armyworm

In Manitoba, populations of Mamestra
configurata Wlk. increased in 1979. Sex
attractant traps at 10 locations caught 88
male moths, 1.5 times more than in 1978, and
the number of larvae found in 40 fields at
these locations averaged 0.2/m2, eight times
higher than in 1978. In addition two infesta-
tions were found near Dauphin in which
larval densities were 4.4/m2 and 5.4/m2.
Parasitism in these more heavily infested
fields was not as high as in the fields near the
sex attractant traps but diseases (mainly a
nuclear virus) caused over 50% mortality.

Larvae in instar IV (which are sensitive to
photoperiod) were released at three different
latitudes (50, 51.5, and 52.5°N) at various
times (mid-June, mid-July, and mid-August)
to test the effect of latitudinal fluctuations of
day length and temperature on diapause
induction. All pupae entered diapause at all
latitudes studied when larvae were released
during mid-August. However, only 27% of
pupae entered diapause at 50°N when larvae
where released during mid-June. The propor-
tion of diapausing pupae were much higher
(e.g. 89-93%) when larvae were released
during mid-July and mid-August at all lati-
tudes tested. Preliminary analyses of the
effects of cold stress on diapausing pupae
indicate that these effects can be modeled
with fairly simple equations. Pupae surviving
cold stress emerge as adults later than do
pupae in groups which have not suffered
mortality from exposure to cold. There is
evidence that threshold for the initiation of
postdiapause development is higher than the
threshold for postdiapause development. This
could affect the accuracy of our prediction of
moth flights in years with low overwintering
survival. A screening program begun last year
has identified two chemicals that alter the
incidence of diapause when the chemicals are
fed in the larval diet of M. configurata. The
chemicals are structurally related to naturally
occurring insect brain transmitters. Progress

in screening and testing of promising chemi-
cals continues to be slow because of the large
amount of time needed to assay each sub-
stance for its effect on diapause. This limita-
tion can be partially overcome by judicious
choice of the chemicals to be screened, which
in turn depends on a still-imperfect knowledge
of basic nervous system processes that govern
diapause. Studies of the pupal brain of M.
configurata during the initiation of postdia-
pause development have revealed that amines,
amine-stimulated adenylate cyclase, and cy-
clic AMP are probably not initiators of
development per se. The development of an
enhanced octopaminergic system during brain
ontogeny is needed, however, to process or
modulate the greatly increased sensory input
of the adult. Preliminary findings indicate
that an amino acid transmitter may partici-
pate in the initiation process. Techniques for
obtaining highly radioactive [l4C]-octopamine
from [14C]-tyramine in vitro and in vivo have
been developed and will be used in experi-
ments to establish the natural isomer of
octopamine in insects.

The frequency of the black color phase in
mature bertha armyworm larvae is dependent
on green food and high light intensity. If
larval density is also a factor it operates at a
level that is too low to be used for indicating
economically damaging populations. A series
of multiple linear regression equations were
developed to relate temperature in a rape field
to meteorological records taken under stan-
dard conditions. Winter soil temperatures
from Beaverlodge, Alta., were analyzed and
summaries prepared. Soil and canopy temper-
atures were recorded in a rape field through
the spring and summer.

Red turnip beetle

Populations of Entomoscelis americana
Brown again remained at low levels in Mani-
toba. Local infestations were found near The
Pas. No insect parasites were found in larvae
collected from these fields. The studies to
determine the effects of burying eggs in soil
on egg survival were completed successfully in
1979. The data showed that fall cultivation
will significantly reduce the survival of red
turnip beetle eggs. A study on the effect of
temperature on egg survival was conducted
during 1979 and will be repeated during the
winter of 1979-1980. Most red turnip beetle
eggs survived exposure to -20°C for 6-8 wk.
A study on the effect of temperature on

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

259

hatching time was completed successfully
during 1979 and the data have been fitted to a
phenological model which will be used to
predict the hatching of red turnip beetle eggs
in the field.

Strawberry cutworm

The natural host of the strawberry cut-
worm, Amphipoea interoceanica (Smith),
was found to be wild strawberry, and a sex
attractant trap survey showed the species to
be present in all strawberry-growing areas of
Manitoba. The density of the pest in culti-
vated strawberries varied directly with the

number of years each grower had raised
strawberries. Continued studies on the insecti-
cidal control of this cutworm showed that 920
g of chlorpyrophos applied in 1400 L water
per hectare gave 90% control of the pest (as
measured by field larval mortality) and re-
sulted in a threefold increase in plant stand
per unit area. Additional trials with male sex
attractants gave no significant improvements
over those made in 1978 but traps placed 1 m
above crop level caught significantly more
moths than traps at 30 and 60 cm. Seven
species of Hymenoptera, one of Diptera, and
one of Cordyceps fungus were parasitic on the
larvae or pupae of the cutworm. Total parasit-
ism was 22.5%.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Adem, E.; Uribe, R. M.; Watters, F. L. 1979.
Responses to Prostephanus truncatus (Coleop-
tera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum
(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to gamma radia-
tion from "Co. Can. Entomol. 111:1111-1114.

Arnst, B. J.; Martens, J. W.; Wright, G. M.;
Burnett, P. A.; Sanderson, F. R. 1979. Inci-
dence, importance and virulence of Puccinia
hordei on barley in New Zealand. Ann. Appl.
Biol. 92:185-190.

Ayre, G. L. 1977. Exotic ants in Winnipeg. Manit.
Entomol. 11:41-44.

Barker, P. S. 1977. Influence of number of samples
on the accuracy of LC50 determinations: re-
sponse of the red flour beetle to methyl bro-
mide. Manit. Entomol. 11:22-26.

Barker, P. S. 1977. Use of regression analysis to
determine applied dosages of hydrogen phos-
phide to stored grain. Manit. Entomol. 1 1:5-9.

Bendelow, V. M.; LaBerge, D. E. 1979. Relation-
ships among barley, malt and beer phenolics. J.
Am. Soc. Brewing Chem. 37:89-90.

Bodnaryk, R. P. 1979. A microhomogenizer for
insect brain. Can. Entomol. 111:525-526.

Bodnaryk, R. P. 1979. Basal, dopamine- and
octopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activ-
ity in the brain of the moth, Mamestra con-
figurata, during its metamorphosis. J. Neu-
rochem. 33:275-282.

Bodnaryk, R. P. 1979. Characterization of an
octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase from
insect brain (Mamestra configurata) . Can. J.
Biochem. 57:226-232.

Bodnaryk, R. P. 1979. Identification of specific
dopamine- and octopamine-sensitive adenylate
cyclases in the brain of Mamestra configurata
Wlk. Insect Biochem. 9:155-162.

Bûcher, G. E.; Bracken, G. K. 1979. The bertha
armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Lepidop-
tera: Noctuidae). An estimate of light and
pheromone trap efficiency based on captures of
newly emerged moths. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:977-
984.

Cassady, J. M.; Abramson, D.; Cowall, P.; Chang,
C.-j.; McLaughlin, J. L.; Aynehchi, Y. 1979.
Centaurepensin: a cytotoxic constituent of
Centaurea solstitialis and C. repens (Aster-
aceae). J. Nat. Prod. 42:427-429.

Daun, J. K.; Mills, J. T. 1979. Incidence of heat-
damage in rapeseed shipped from western
Canada 1974-1976. Can. J. Agric. Econ.

27:72-75.

Dyck, P. L.; Samborski, D. J. 1979. Adult-plant
leaf rust resistance in P.I. 250413, an introduc-
tion of common wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:329-332.

Dyck, P. L. 1979. Identification of the gene for
adult-plant leaf rust resistance in Thatcher.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:499-501.

Gerber, G. H.; Neill, G. B.; Westdal, P. H. 1978.
The anatomy and histology of the internal
reproductive organs of the sunflower beetle,
Zygogramma exclamationis (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae). Can. J. Zool. 56:2542-2553.

Gerber, G. H.; Neill, G. B; Westdal, P. H. 1979.
The reproductive cycles of the sunflower bee-
tle, Zygogramma exclamationis (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae), in Manitoba. Can. J. Zool.
57:1934-1943.

260

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Gill, C. C; Chong, J. 1979. Cytological alterations
in cells infected with corn leaf aphid-specific
isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus. Phytopa-
thology 69:363-368.

Gill, C. C; Chong, J. 1979. Cytopathological
evidence for the division of barley yellow dwarf
virus isolates into two subgroups. Virology
95:59-69.

Green, G. J.; Campbell, A. B. 1979. Wheat culti-
vars resistant to Puccinia graminis tritici in
western Canada: Their development, perform-
ance, and economic value. Can. J. Plant
Pathol. 1:3-11.

Green, G. J.; Dyck, P. L. 1979. A gene for
resistance to Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici
that is present in wheat cultivar H-44 but not
in cultivar Hope. Phytopathology 69:672-675.

Harder, D. E.; Rohringer, R.; Samborski, D. J.;
Kim, W. K.; Chong, J. 1978. Electron micros-
copy of susceptible and resistant near-isogenic
(sr6/Sr6) lines of wheat infected by Puccinia
graminis tritici. I. The host-pathogen interface
in the compatible (sr6/P6) interaction. Can. J.
Bot. 56:2955-2966.

Harder, D. E.; Rohringer, R.; Samborski, D. J.;
Rimmer, S. R.; Kim, W. K.; Chong, J. 1979.
Electron microscopy of susceptible and resist-
ant near-isogenic (sr6/Sr6) lines of wheat
infected by Puccinia graminis tritici. II. Ex-
pression of incompatibility in mesophyll and
epidermal cells and the effect of temperature
on host-parasite interactions in these cells.
Can. J. Bot. 57:2617-2625.

Harder, D. E.; Samborski, D. J.; Rohringer, R.;
Rimmer, S. R.; Kim, W. K.; Chong, J. 1979.
Electron microscopy of susceptible and resist-
ant near-isogenic (sr6/Sr6) lines of wheat
infected by Puccinia graminis tritici. III.
Ultrastructure of incompatible interactions.
Can. J. Bot. 57:2626-2634.

Hegdekar, B. M. 1979. Epicuticular wax secretion
in diapause and nondiapause pupae of the
Bertha armyworm. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.
72:13-15.

Hegdekar, B. M. 1977. Photoperiodic and tempera-
ture regulation of diapause induction in the
Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata
Walker. Manit. Entomol. 1 1:56-60.

Kerber, E. R.; Dyck, P. L. 1978. Resistance to stem
and leaf rust of wheat in Aegilops squarrosa
and transfer of a gene for stem rust resistance
to hexaploid wheat. Proc. 5th Int. Wheat
Genet. Symp., New Delhi, India, pp. 358-364.

Kosmolak, F. G. 1979. Gliadin composition of the
bread-wheat cultivars BW 20 and Sinton. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:1001-1005.

Kosmolak, F. G.; Baker, R. J. 1979. Early genera-
tion screening for baking potential. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:21-26.

Kovacs, M. I. P.; Anderson, W. E.; Ackman, R. G.
1979. A simple method for the determination
of cholesterol and some plant sterols in fishery-
based food products. J. Food Sci. 44:1299-
1305.

Lamb, R. J.; MacKay, P. A. 1979. Variability in
migratory tendency within and among natural
populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon
pisum. Oecologia 39:289-299.

Loschiavo, S. R. 1978. Effect of disturbance of
wheat on four species of stored-product insects.
J. Econ. Entomol. 71:888-893.

Loschiavo, S. R.; Okumura, G. T. 1979. A survey of
stored product insects in Hawaii. Proc. Hawaii.
Entomol. Soc. 13:95-118.

MacKay, P. A.; Lamb, R. J. 1979. Migratory
tendency in aging populations of the pea aphid,
Acyrthosiphon pisum. Oecologia 39:301-308.

Marchylo, B. A.; Kosmolak, F. G. 1979. An
evaluation of the rapid amylograph method.
Cereal Chem. 56:361-364.

Martens, J. W.; Baker, R. J.; McKenzie, R. I. H.;
Rajhathy, T. 1979. Oil and protein content of
Avena species collected in North Africa, East
Africa and the Middle East. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:55-59.

Martens, J. W.; McKenzie, R. I. H. 1979. Viru-
lence dynamics in Puccinia graminis f. sp.
avenae in Canada. Can. J. Bot. 57:952-957.

Martens, J. W.; Roelfs, A. P.; McKenzie, R. I. H.;
Rothman, P. G.; Stuthman, D. D.; Brown, D.
P. 1979. System of nomenclature for races of
Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae. Phytopathol-
ogy 69:293-294.

Mensah, G. W. K.; Watters, F. L. 1979. Compari-
son of four organophosphorus insecticides on
stored wheat for control of susceptible and
malathion-resistant strains of the red flour
beetle. J. Econ. Entomol. 72:456-461.

Mensah, G. W. K.; Watters, F. L. 1979. Uptake of
bromophos into bulk stored wheat from treated
granary surfaces. J. Econ. Entomol. 72:275-
276.

Mensah, G. W. K.; Watters, F. L.; Webster, G. R.
B. 1979. Insecticide residues in milled fractions
of dry or tough wheat treated with malathion,
bromophos, iodofenphos and pirimiphos-
methyl. J. Econ. Entomol. 72:728-731.

Mensah, G. W. K.; Watters, F. L.; Webster, G. R.
B. 1979. Translocation of malathion, bromo-
phos, and iodofenphos into stored grain from
treated structural surfaces. J. Econ. Entomol.
73:385-391.

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

261

Mills, J. T.; Wallace, H. A. H. 1979. Microflora
and condition of cereal seeds after a wet
harvest. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:645-651.

Mortensen, K.; Green, G. J.; Atkinson, J. 1979. A
method for the uniform infection of seedling
and adult cereal plants by stem rust. Phytopa-
thology 69:420-423.

Rohringer, R.; Kim, W. K.; Samborski, D. J. 1979.
A histological study of interactions between
avirulent races of stem rust and wheat contain-
ing resistance genes Sr5, Sr6, Sr8, or Sr22.
Can. J. Bot. 57:324-331.

Samborski, D. J.; Rohringer, R.; Kim, W. K. 1978.
Transcription and translation in diseased
plants. Pages 375-390 in J. G. Horsfall and E.
B. Cowling, eds. Plant disease — An advanced
treatise, Vol. III. Academic Press, Inc., N.Y.

Sinha, R. N. 1979. Ecology of microflora in stored
grain. Ann. Technol. Agric. 28:225-243.

Sinha, R. N. 1979. Role of acarina in the stored
grain ecosystem. Pages 263-272 in J. G. Rid-
riguez, ed. Recent advances in acarology.
Academic Press. Vol. 1. 631 pp.

Sinha, R. N.; Wallace, H. A. H.; Mills, J. T.;
McKenzie, R. I. H. 1979. Storability of farm-
stored hulless oats in Manitoba. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:949-957.

Sinha, R. N.; Wallace, H. A. H.; Reiser, B.;
Lefkovitch, L. P. 1979. Interrelations of ar-
thropods and microorganisms in damp bulk
stored wheat — a multivariate study. Res.
Popul. Ecol. 21:40-67.

Sinha, R. N.; White, N. D. G.; Wallace, H. A. H.;
McKenzie, R. I. H. 1979. Effect of moisture
content on viability and infestation of hulless
Terra oats in storage. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:911-916.

Smith, L. B.; Loschiavo, S. R. 1978. History of an
insect infestation in durum wheat during trans-
port and storage in an inland terminal elevator
in Canada. J. Stored Prod. Res. 14:169-180.

Turnock, W. J.; Gerber, G. H.; Bickis, M.; Bennett,
R. B. 1979. The applicability of X-ray energy-
dispersive spectroscopy to the identification of
populations of red turnip beetle, Entomoscelis
americana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Can.
Entomol. 111:113-125.

Turnock, W. J.; Philip, H.G.I 977. The outbreak of
bertha armyworm Mamestra configurata
(Noctuidae: Lepidoptera), in Alberta, 1971 to
1975. Manit. Entomol. 11:10-21.

Wallace, H. A. H.; Sinha, R. N.; Laliberte, G. E.;
Fraser, B. M.; Sholberg, P. L.; Muir, W. E.
1979. Biological, physical and chemical
changes in stored fababeans. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:991-999.

Watters, F. L.; Adem, E.; Uribe, R. 1979. Potential
of accelerated electrons for insect control in
stored grain. Proc. 2nd Int. Working Conf.
Stored-Product Entomol. pp. 278-286.

Watters, F. L.; Mensah, G. W. K. 1979. Stability of
malathion applied on stored wheat for control
of rusty grain beetles. J. Econ. Entomol.

72:794-797.

White, N. D. G.; Henderson, L. P.; Sinha, R. N.
1979. Effects of infestations by three stored-
product mites on fat acidity, seed germination,
and microflora of stored wheat. J. Econ. Ento-
mol. 72:763-766.

White, N. D. G.; Sinha, R. N. 1979. Natural
regulation of Tarsonemus granarius numbers
in stored wheat ecosystems — A multivariate
assessment. Pages 291-298 in J. G. Rodriguez,
ed. Recent advances in acarology. Academic
Press. Vol. 1.631 pp.

Wylie, H. G. 1977. Insect parasites reared from
Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata,
collected from artificial field populations near
Winnipeg, Manitoba. Manit. Entomol. 11:50-

55.

Wylie, H. G. 1979. Observations on distribution,
seasonal life history, abundance of flea beetles
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) that infest rape
crops in Manitoba. Can. Entomol. 111:1345-
1353.

Wylie, H. G. 1979. Sex ratio variability of Muscidi-
furax zaraptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae).
Can. Entomol. 111:105-109.

Wylie, H. G.; Ayre, G. L. 1979. Hosts of Banchus
flavescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
and Athrycia cinerea (Diptera: Tachinidae) in
Manitoba. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:747-748.

Miscellaneous

Bendelow, V. M. 1979. Observations on the rela-
tions between lysine content, beta-amylase
activity and alcohol-soluble nitrogen in barley.
Barley Newsl. 22:73.

Chiko, A. W. 1979. Reciprocal contact transmis-
sion of barley stripe mosaic virus between wild
oats and barley. Barley Newsl. 22:27.

Chiko, A. W.; Tekauz, A. 1978. Possible interfer-
ence between barley stripe mosaic virus and
Phyrenophora teres. Barley Newsl. 21:41-42.

Green, G. J. 1979. Air-borne rust inoculum over
western Canada in 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv.
59:33-34.

Green, G. J. 1979. Stem rust of wheat, barley and
rye in Canada in 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv.
59:43-47.

262

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Green, G. J.; Harder, D. E.; Martens, J. W. 1978.
The cereal rusts in Manitoba in 1978. Proc.
Manit. Agron. Annu. Conf. p. 76.

Harder, D. E. 1979. Crown rust of oats in Canada
in 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:35-37.

Harder, D. E. 1979. Oat crown rust. Canadex
113.630.

Lamb, R. J. 1979. Dermaptera. Pages 317-318 in
H. V. Danks, ed. Canada and its Insect Fauna.
Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can. No. 108. 573 pp.

Leisle, D. 1979. Post harvest dormancy for durum
wheats. Wheat Newsl. p. 25.

Martens, J. W. 1978. Biological control of plant
diseases. Pages 78-86 in Chemicals and agri-
culture: Problems and alternatives. Canadian
Plains Proceedings 5.

Martens. J. W. 1979. Stem rust of oats in Canada
in 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:70-72.

McKenzie, R. I. H.; Gill, C. C; Martens, J. W.;
Harder, D. E. 1979. Oats in western Canada in
1978. Oat Newsl. 29:39-40.

Mensah, G. W. K.; Watters, G. L.; Webster, G. R.
B. 1978. Translocation of organophosphorous
insecticides into stored grain from treated
surfaces of storage containers. Proc. Can. Pest
Manage. Soc. p. 45.

Rajaram, S.; Skovmand, B.; Dubin, H. G.; Torres,
E.; Anderson, R. G.; Roelfs, A. P.; Samborski,
D. J.; Watson, I. A. 1978. Diversity of rust
resistance of the CIMMYT multiline compos-
ite, its yield potential, and utilization. Satellite

Symposium I, Fifth International Wheat Ge-
netics Symposium, New Delhi, Feb. 1978.

Rimmer, S. R.; Harder, D. E.; Samborski, D. J.
1978. Fine structure of primary infection of
susceptible and resistant wheat by Puccinia
graminis f. sp. tritici. Proc. Can. Phytopathol.
Soc. 45:40.

Samborski, D. J. 1979. Leaf rust of wheat in
Canada in 1978. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 59:67-
78.

Sinha, R. N. 1979. Post-harvest deterioration of
stored grain in humid Tropics. Am. Soc. Agric.
Eng. (ASAE) Paper No. 79-5059. 8 pp.

Tekauz, A. 1978. Progress report on a soft rot of
sugar beet in Manitoba. Annual Report, Part
2, Research. Agric. Dep. Manit. Sugar Co. pp.
28-29.

Tekauz, A. 1979. Reaction of Canadian barleys to
leaf stripe. Barley Newsl. 22:34.

Tekauz, A.; Clough, C. 1978. New blotch of barley.
Canadex 114.630.

Thompson, L. S.; Gill, C. C; Comeau, A.
Barley yellow dwarf. Canadex 1 10.630.

1978.

Warren, C. P. W.; Sinha, R. N.; Strevens, V. H.
1979. Allergic reactions to the grain mite,
Lepidoglyphus destructor. J. Allergy Clin.
Immunol. 63:149.

Wolfe, R. I.; Tekauz, A.; Johnston, W. J. 1978. The
response of different wheat and barley varieties
to date of seeding. Proc. Manit. Agron. Annu.
Conf. pp. 8-13.

RESEARCH STATION, WINNIPEG, MAN.

263

Research Station
Melfort, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

S. E. Beacom, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. J. Peperkorn
D. J. Ewanus, B.Sc.

Director
Office Manager
Farm Manager

Forage Production and Utilization

J. A. Robertson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. E. Beacom, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. Bittman, B.Sc, M.Sc.

E. Z. Jan, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. H. McCartney, B.Sc, M.Sc.

S. O. Thorlacius, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. Waddington, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Beef cow
management, pasture utilization
Utilization of harvested forages
Forage crop production
Forage harvesting systems
Beef cow management systems
Ruminant nutrition
Forage ecology and weed control

Cereal, Oilseed, and Special Crops Production and Utilization

K. E. Bowren, B.S.A.

A. G. Castell, B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. F. Nuttall, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Program leader; Crop production
Crop utilization - swine nutrition
Soil fertility

Departure

D. J. Warnock, B.Sc, M.Sc
Resigned December 1978

Cereal, oilseed, and special crop
evaluation

research station, melfort, sask.

265

INTRODUCTION

The Melfort Station serves one of the most potentially productive agricultural areas in
Canada. Because of the diversity of agricultural production, our research is aimed at solving
practical problems in forage crops evaluation, production, harvesting, storage, and utilization,
and in cereal, oilseed, and special crops evaluation, production, and utilization. A diversified
livestock program involving beef cows, feeder steers and heifers, ewes and lambs, and feeder
pigs is carried out to evaluate crops, crop by-products, crop residues, pastures, and forage
harvesting systems.

Brief summaries of some of our work are presented here. For more details readers may
refer to the publications listed at the end of this report or may obtain a copy of our Research
Highlights by writing to Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box
1240, Melfort, Sask. SOE 1A0, or by phoning (306) 752-2776.

S. E. Beacom
Director

FORAGE PRODUCTION AND
UTILIZATION

Response of bromegrass and alfalfa pasture
to S fertilizer

Application of N at 45, 90, and 180 kg/ha;
P at 20 and 78 kg/ha; and S at 22 and 45 kg/
ha to bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and
alfalfa {Medicago media Pers.) pasture on a
Gray Luvisol soil increased herbage yield
from 1955 kg/ha (control) to a maximum of
4783 kg/ha with N at 180 kg/ha and P at 78
kg/ha. However, yields were increased from
3898 kg/ha, with N at 90 kg/ha and P at 20
kg/ha, to 4692 kg/ha by applying additional S
at 45 kg/ha. Sulfate-sulfur in the control plots
measured 5.6 //.g/4 g soil to a depth of 60 cm.

Effect of Avoparcin on animal gain on
pasture

Addition of Avoparcin (Cyanamid), a
growth-promoting antibiotic, to a mineral mix
for yearling beef heifers on pasture increased
average daily gain from 0.44 to 0.63 kg. Gain
per hectare was increased by 20.4 kg.

Cow-calf management systems

Weights at weaning were ca. 50 kg higher
for early-born (January-March) than for
late-born (March-May) calves. Winter feed
costs were increased by $9 per cow for the
early calving treatment verses the late.

Utilizing Russian wild ryegrass {Elymus
junceus Fisch.) for spring and fall grazing
extended the season by 22-35 days (15-29%)
in 1978 and by 12 days (9%) in 1979.

Application of N at 45 kg/ha and P2Os at 22.5
kg/ha of pasture allowed a reduction in
pasture area required per cow-calf unit from
1.46 ha (nonfertilized control) to 1.11 ha.
Concurrently, cow-calf gain per hectare
increased by 54 and 30% for the early and
late calving groups, respectively, compared to
the cattle grazing the nonfertilized control
pasture.

Evaluation of forage cultivars

Grasses. Chief has been the most produc-
tive cultivar of intermediate wheatgrass,
Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv., at
Melfort. Recently, it was outyielded by the
selection SCI 3733 which has been recom-
mended for licensing as the variety Clarke.
The smooth bromegrass {Bromus inermis
Leyss.) cultivar Magna has produced 10%
more forage but 25% less seed than the next
best cultivar, Carlton. The crested wheatgrass
[Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] cultivar
Parkway has continued to yield more forage
than Fairway. The russian wild ryegrass
{Elymus junceus Fisch.) cultivar Swift
yielded slightly more forage and substantially
more seed than the cultivars Sawki, Cabrée,
and Mayak.

Legumes. Beaver produced at least 9%
more forage than other alfalfa cultivars, even
though it is somewhat less winter-hardy than
Rambler. With proper management, less
winter-hardy cultivars such as Angus, Algon-
quin, and Titan have averaged 250 kg of seed
per hectare annually over a 5 yr period.

266

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Effects of four applications of herbicides to
established alfalfa for hay

Applications of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophe-
noxy)acetic acid] at 0.5 kg/ha in late fall or
early spring in each of the years 1975-1978 to
established alfalfa resulted in a decrease or no
increase in hay yields, depending on the year.
Simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-tri-
azine] at 1.0 kg/ha also did not improve
alfalfa yields. Use of dichlobenil (2,6-dichlo-
robenzonitrile) at 2.0 and 4.0 kg/ha; Terbacil
(3-/m-butyl-j-chloro-6-methyluracil) at 1.0
and 2.0 kg/ha; or Velpar [3-cyclo-hex-
yl-6-(dimethylamino)- 1 -methyl-s-triazine-2,4-
(1/7, 3//)-dione] at 0.5 or 1.0 kg/ha either
increased or did not affect forage yields. In
general, alfalfa yields were not affected
significantly during the first 2 yr, but were
affected in the next 2 yr. Increased yields
were paralleled by decreases in broad-leaved
weeds, mainly narrow-leaved hawk's-beard
and dandelion, and a decrease in yields in
1978 was due to alfalfa damage caused by
2,4-D.

Studies on the bromegrass seed midge

Excellent control of both generations of the
bromegrass seed midge, Contarinia bromicola
(Marikovskij & Agafonova), under field
conditions was obtained with carbofuran at
0.14 kg/ha or dimethoate at 0.56 kg/ha
applied at the preflower stage.

Yield response of Rambler alfalfa herbage
to S fertilizer

Fertilizers were applied to Rambler alfalfa,
Medicago media Pers., at rates of 10, 22, 45,
and 67 kg N; 10 and 20 kg P; and 22 and 45
kg S (sulfate-S) per hectare over a period of 5
yr. Yields ranged from 3842 kg/ha for the
control to 5813 kg/ha with 45 kg N, 20 kg P,
and 45 kg S per hectare. The increased yield
due to S was 1089 kg/ha averaged over the
period. Control plots (to a depth of 60 cm)
contained 9.5 fig S/4 g soil (range of 4.9-
18.5).

Development of Schwarting and Melfort
hay drying towers

An electronic mechanism consisting of
relays, controlled by a rain-sensitive device
and a timer, was developed to control the
drying fan in both hay towers. The unit shuts
off the fan at the onset of a shower and turns
it back on when the sensor dries. If the rain
persists the fan is operated intermittently to

prevent overheating of the hay. The distri-
bution of incoming forage in the Melfort hay
drying tower has been improved by replacing
the spinning disc silage distributer and twin
augers with a single-auger, open V trough
conveyor. The system permits the automatic
raising of the roof as the forage is added thus
allowing one operator to handle the filling
operation.

Preservation of high-moisture hay

Addition of 2% (w/w) ammonia completely
inhibited molding in baled, high-moisture
(35%) alfalfa hay and reduced digestible
organic matter losses by 20% compared with
high-moisture control and 10% compared
with the low-moisture control. One percent of
ammonia was only partially effective in
inhibiting mold. Similarily 2% ammonia
completely inhibited molding in high-mois-
ture (31%) bromegrass hay while 1% ammo-
nia was only partially effective. Small-scale
tests indicated that 3.6% urea (w/w) will
inhibit molding of high-moisture bromegrass
and alfalfa hay, but toxicity of residual urea
may be a problem.

Supplementing ground hay rations for
finishing steers and lambs

Adding 3% acidulated fatty acids (AFA) to
a ground (1.27 cm) good-quality alfalfa-
brome steer finishing ration had no effect on
rate of gain (ADG) (1.41 kg per head per
day) and improved feed efficiency (FE) by 4%
and dressing percentage (DP) by 1.2 percent-
age units (% U), to increase returns to labor
(RL) by $16 per head. Supplementing the
grain control ration with AFA improved
ADG by 5% and FE by 10% to increase RL
by $7 per head. Adding monensin (trade
name Rumensin) to the forage control ration
reduced ADG by 8%, improved FE by 2.5%,
and reduced DP by 0.8% U to reduce RL by
$17 per head. Adding monensin to the forage
plus AFA ration reduced ADG by 2%, FE by
4%, and DP by 0.5% U to reduce RL by $12
per head. Adding 3% of tallow to the forage
control ration increased ADG by 6%, FE by
1 1%, and DP by 0.3% U, but because of the
high cost of tallow, reduced RL by $4 per
head. Pelleting the good-quality hay (17%
crude protein, 57% digestible organic matter)
caused bloat and cannot be recommended.

RESEARCH STATION, MELFORT, SASK.

267

PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION

OF CEREALS AND SPECIAL

CROPS

Cultivar evaluation

Wheat (Triticum aestivum). Sinton, a
recently licensed spring wheat, outyielded
Neepawa, a commonly grown cultivar, by 260
kg/ha over the past 3 yr. However, producer
experience and field trials show that it weath-
ers badly in the swath. This, coupled with the
fact that Sinton shatters more readily and
that its yield was lower than Neepawa at two
other test sites, is restricting its acceptance by
producers in the area.

Barley (Hordeum vulgarej. Elrose, a newly
licensed two-row malting barley, yielded 274
kg/ha less than Klages but about 200 kg/ha
more than Betzes in 1979 on the average at
three test sites in the area. Elrose was 3 days
earlier in maturity and is otherwise similar to
Klages.

Rapeseed (Brassica species). B. napus
(cultivars Regent and Altex) and B.
campestris (cultivar Candle) rapeseed yielded
2831, 2654, and 2195 kg/ha, respectively, at
Melfort and 1823, 1613, and 1212 kg/ha,
respectively, at Meath Park in 1979.

Pulse crops. Tara, a newly licensed cultivar
of field peas that has greater resistance to
powdery mildew, yielded 6779 kg/ha com-
pared to 5007 kg/ha for Century in 1979.
Laird lentils yielded 2639 kg/ha on the
average in 1978-1979 and a field of faba-
beans yielded over 3000 kg/ha at Melfort in
1979. '

Effect of S fertilizer on yield of Bonanza
barley and Torch rapeseed grown on stubble

N was applied at 10-67 kg/ha, P at 10 and
20 kg/ha, and S at 22 and 45 kg/ha over a
3 yr period on a Gray Luvisol soil. Applica-
tion of 45 kg N, 20 kg P, and 22 kg S per
hectare maximized the yield of barley
{Hordeum vulgare L.) (3565 kg/ha). With-
out S, the yield was 3167 kg/ha and the
control without fertilizer was 2709 kg/ha.
Similarly, maximum yield (1388 kg/ha) of
Torch rape (Brassica campestris L.) resulted
from the application of 67 kg N, 20 kg P, and
45 kg S per hectare. Without S, the yield was
1194 kg/ha and the control without fertilizer
was 798 kg/ha. Control plots (to a depth of 60
cm) contained 8.1 fig S/4 g soil for barley
and 10.1 fig S/4 g soil for rape.

Weed control

BAS 9052 gave good control of wild oats
and other grassy-type weeds and volunteer
cereals without damaging rape in 1979.
Dowco 290 showed promise for controlling
thistles and some other hard-to-kill broad-
leaved weeds in rape. DPX 4189 showed
promise for controlling broad-leaved weeds in
wheat and barley and combinations of contact
and translocated herbicides were effective for
controlling weeds on summerfallow.

A tank mixture of triallate and trifluralin
incorporated to a depth of 5 cm gave adequate
control of wild oats in rapeseed.

Chemical summerfallow

Chemical summerfallow produced the
highest (3116 and 3537 kg/ha) and straight
tillage the lowest (2557 and 3387 kg/ha)
yields of seven methods of summerfallowing
in 1979 and over a 14 yr period, respectively.
Zero tillage seeding gave higher yields (aver-
aging 12.6%) than conventional seeding on
the seven fallow treatments in 1979.

Zero-till seeding

An evaluation of several minimum and
zero-till methods of seeding spring wheat on
stubble showed that direct seeding with a
discer produced the highest yield in 1979.
Direct seeding with a narrow shovel hoe-
press-drill into standing winter wheat stubble
produced the highest yield of winter wheat in
1979.

Harvesting studies

Swathing at about 25% kernel moisture
content (KMC) gave the highest yield of
Bonanza barley in 1979. Shattering com-
menced at 36% KMC and became severe at
less than 25% KMC.

Evaluation of crop residues

Yearling wethers fed fababean, sunflower,
field pea, and wheat crop residue consumed
about 100%, 85%, 33%, and 33% as much dry
matter, respectively, as when fed alfalfa
brome hay. Crude protein content was 12.1,
10.8, 6.6, 9.2, and 4.6% and in vivo energy
digestibility was 56.1, 50.5, 56.8, 40.9, and
47.9% for the hay, fababean crop residue,
sunflower crop residue, field pea crop residue,
and wheat straw, respectively. The results
indicate that the feeding value of fababean
and sunflower crop residue is relatively high.

268

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Evaluation of barley cultivars

Two-row (Fairfield, Fergus, and Klages)
and six-row (Bonanza, Klondike, and Peguis)
barleys, grown in 1978, were identically
supplemented and fed ad libitum to pigs from
22 to 92 kg. Live performance and carcass
measurements were not affected (P > 0.05)
by cultivar but diets based on two-row barleys
tended to be more efficiently utilized, be more
palatable, and contain greater proportions of
digestible energy and nitrogen compared to
six-row barleys.

Rapeseed in diets for market pigs

Ground Canola seed (B. campestris 'Can-
dle') was included as 0-15% of six pelleted
diets (15.5% CP), fed twice daily over the
period from 22 to 90 kg. Optimum perform-
ance and carcass measurements were ob-
tained with pigs fed the 6% rapeseed diet. At
higher level of inclusion, performance did not
improve but there was evidence of an increas-
ing incidence of visually soft fat in the
carcass, a change attributable to increases in
the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids,
notably 18:2 (linoleic) and 18:3 (linolenic).

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bittman, S.; Steppler, H. A. 1979. A gasometric
apparatus for monitoring evaporation rate
from plant tissues during transpiration and
drying. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:545-548.

Castell, A. G.; Bowren, K. E. 1979. Comparison of
barley cultivars in diets for growing-finishing
pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59 (Abstract).

Dodds, M. E.; Bowren, K. E.; Dew, D. A.; Faris, D.
G. 1979. The effect of windrowing hard red
spring wheat at different stages of maturity
and four locations in western Canada. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:321-328.

Nuttall, W. F.; Zandstra, H. G.; Bowren, K. E.
1979. Yield and N percentage of spring wheat
as affected by phosphate fertilizer, moisture
use and available P and N. Agron. J. 71:385-
391.

Robertson, J. A.; Cooke, D. A.; Beacom, S. E.
1979. A comparison of four systems of manag-
ing yearling beef steers on rotationally grazed
bromegrass alfalfa pastures. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:519-529.

Thorlacius, S. O.; Coxworth, E.; Thompson, D.
1979. Intake and digestibility of fa ba bean crop
residue by sheep. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:459-
462.

Miscellaneous

Beacom, S. E. 1979. Producing beef with little or no
grain. Can. Agric. (Winter).

Bowren, K. E. 1979. Reducing tillage in cropping
practices in northeastern Saskatchewan. Proc.
CSA Annu. Meet., Fredericton, N.B., Aug.
1979.

Bowren, K. E. 1979. Weed control in rapeseed and
mustard, Prairie Provinces. Canadex 149.641
(March).

Bowren, K. E. 1979. Choice of land and rotation
and seed and seeding practices. In Canola,
Canada's rapeseed crop. Publ. No. 56 (May).

Castell, A. G. 1979. Canola fine for marketing
hogs. Country Guide, Nov.:38.

Castell, A. G. 1979. Pigs attract scientists to
USSR. Agrapport, Agric. Can. Feb. 1979.

Castell, A. G. 1979. Limiting intake of self-fed pigs.
Can. Agric. (Spring).

Castell, A. G. 1979. Two row barleys preferred.
Country Guide, Aug.:34-C.

Elliot, J. I.; Bowman, G. H.; Castell, A. G. 1979.
USSR swine mission 1978, Int. Sci. Technol.
Rep., Agric. Can. 10 pp.

Nuttall, W. F. 1979. Response of crops to sulphur
in northeastern Saskatchewan. Proc. 1979
Soils and Crops Workshop. Extension Div.,
Univ. Sask. pp. 148-151.

Nuttall, W. F. 1979. Effect of N P fertilizer on
brome and alfalfa. Canadex 120.540.

Nuttall, W. F. 1979. Systems analysis and mathe-
matical modelling, soil fertility and plant
nutrition. Proc. Workshop on Systems Analysis
and Mathematical Modelling, p. 140.

Robertson, J. A. 1979. Comparing forage feeding
values. This month with Agriculture Canada.
Vol. 12(11).

Thorlacius, S. O. 1979. Fababean straw promising
feed. News and Features No. 1849. Nov. 16.

Thorlacius, S. O. 1979. Pulse crop silage. News and
Features No. 1824. May 25.

Thorlacius, S. O. 1979. Whole crop fababeans for
silage. Can. Agric. 24(4): 13- 15.

RESEARCH STATION, MELFORT, SASK.

269

Research Station
Regina, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. R. Hay, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.W.S.S.A.

D. I. GOURLAY

B. C. Guild, B.H.Ec
H. C. Vanstone1

Director

Administrative Officer
Information Officer
Library Technician

Biological Control of Weeds

P. Harris, B.S.F., D.I.C., Ph.D.

M. G. Maw, B.Sc, M.Sc.

D. P. Peschken, B.S.A., M.Sc, Dr.Sci.Agr.

Head of Section; Biological
control — weeds
Biological control — weeds
Biological control — Canada thistle

Weed Ecology

A. G. Thomas, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
G. G. Bowes, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
L. Hume, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Weed surveys
Range weeds
Crop losses

Weed Physiology

G. I. McIntyre, B.Sc, Ph.D.
A. I. Hsiao, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. H. Hunter, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Weed physiology
Weed physiology
Weed control

Herbicide Behavior in the Environment

R. Grover, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. J. Cessna, B.A., Ph.D.

A. E. Smith, B.Sc, Ph.D., F.C.I.C.

Head of Section; Availability,
mobility, monitoring
Residues, metabolism, plants
Residues, metabolism, soils

RESEARCH STATION, REGINA, SASK.

271

Seed

G. R. Boughton, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Acting Head of Section; Increase
distribution and verification

Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Sask.

W. B. Towill, B.S.A.

N. W. Holt, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Superintendent
Forage and new crops

Departure

E. D. Mallough, B.S.A.

Leave of absence 3 December 1979

Seed increase and distribution

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

272

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

This report outlines the work done in 1979 at the Experimental Farm at Indian Head and
the Research Station at Regina.

The Indian Head establishment is operated as a substation. The program evaluates new
cultivars of cereal, forage, oilseed, and pulse crops for adaptability to conditions in
southeastern Saskatchewan. Management research designed to increase efficiency of
production of those crops is also conducted, as well as long-term rotation experiments.

The Regina station is the center for weed control research in Canada. Four programs,
biological control, weed physiology, weed ecology, and herbicide behavior in the environment,
are under way. In 1979, Miss Betty Guild joined the staff at Regina to serve as information
officer and as secretary of the Wild Oat Action Committee. Mr. Dave Mallough went on a
leave of absence to serve on a 2 yr CIDA assignment on wheat production in Tanzania.

The facilities at Regina and Indian Head are also used to increase and distribute breeder
seed and seed of new cultivars of cereal, forage, oilseed, and pulse crops developed by the
Branch.

Only a portion of the results are reported here. More can be obtained from the scientists at
the following address: Research Station, Agriculture Canada, 5000 Wascana Parkway, P.O.
Box 440, Regina, Sask. S4P 3A2.

J. R. Hay

Director

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

The future for the biocontrol of Canada
thistle depends on the acceptance of some
damage to native Cirsium species. At present
the introduced stem-mining weevil Ceu-
torhynchus litura is slowly increasing and
spreading at seven localities across Canada.
The weevil is widely adapted to the agricul-
tural region of Canada, but although some
stress is imposed on the thistle, it is not
enough to control it. The situation with the
gall fly Urophora cardui is similar. Although
the fly is decreasing or has died out in
Western Canada, it is thriving in the East. In
New Brunswick, although carrying a micro-
sporidian disease (Nosema sp.), it has spread
over 5 km2 and since its release in 1975 it
attacks up to 4-15% of the thistle shoots.

However, a field experiment at Regina
showed that even 13 galls per thistle shoot
were insufficient to control the weed.

Additional tests on the Canada thistle leaf-
feeding beetle Lema cyanella showed that
although no crop plants were accepted, it will
feed and oviposit on the native thistle Cirsium
drummondii as readily as on Canada thistle.
There are no breeding records on any species
except C. arvense in Europe. However, our

tests suggest that some native North Ameri-
can Cirsium species may be damaged if the
beetle is released in Canada.

The moth Porphyrrinia purpurina which is
widespread in southeastern Europe is the one
remaining possibility for a monophagous
Canada thistle insect. There are insects in
Asia that feed on other Cirsium species, but if
they have a broad enough host range to accept
Canada thistle, they will probably also accept
native North American Cirsium species.

The perennial sow-thistle seed-head fly
Tephritis dilacerata was released at three
sites in Saskatchewan and bred satisfactorily
at one. A strong colony of the leaf-gall fly
Cystiphora sonchi, which was received from
Austria, has been established in quarantine.
Preliminary tests indicate that this fly attacks
only Sonchus species.

The monophagous Hypericum aphid Aphis
chloris was released on St. John's-wort near
Cranbrook, B.C., to supplement other control
agents that have not prevented the spread of
the weed in that area. Some breeding occur-
red in the field before winter.

Collections of the native bindweed leaf-
feeding beetles Chirida guttata, Metriona
purpurata, and Chelymorpha cassidea were
moved from Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat,
Alta., to reinforce the small numbers of M.
purpurata already there.

RESEARCH STATION, REGINA, SASK.

273

A small colony of the root-boring beetle
Oberea erythrocephala was released on leafy
spurge in Saskatchewan in the late fall.

Tests on the knapweed rust Puccinia ja-
caeae showed that it would survive on saf-
flower and thus is unsuitable for use as a
biocontrol agent in North America. Similarly,
the leafy spurge leaf-moth Clepsis strigana
readily accepted other plants, and so cannot
be used for biocontrol.

WEED ECOLOGY

Weed surveys and crop losses

The fourth and final annual survey in the
current series in Saskatchewan was completed
on schedule. Green foxtail, wild oats, wild
buckwheat, stinkweed, lamb's-quarters, red-
root pigweed, and Russian thistle have been
the most abundant species in each of the 4 yr.
All the major grassy weed species (wild oats,
green foxtail, quackgrass, Persian darnel, and
barnyard grass) were recorded in a greater
percentage of the fields and with a higher
mean density than in 1978.

Data from the second annual weed survey
in the Peace River area of British Columbia,
Manitoba, Essex and Kent counties in On-
tario, and Prince Edward Island were incorpo-
rated into a computer-based data file along
with the Saskatchewan data. A file of approx-
imately 1 1 000 fields now exists.

Weed community differences were exam-
ined in field plots that had been under
different crop rotations for 22 yr on the Indian
Head Experimental Farm. Green foxtail
counts averaged over 1200 plants per square
metre under continuous cropping while in a
wheat-fallow or wheat-wheat-fallow rotation
counts averaged less than one plant per square
metre.

Data collected from weeded and nonweeded
plots in 30 wheat fields near Regina indicated
a significant relationship between yield loss of
wheat and weed seedling emergence 2-4 wk
after planting.

Population biology of weeds

Since the 1950s annual applications of 2,4-
D have been recommended for the control of
leafy spurge in grass. In an experiment to
reevaluate this practice, 2,4-D applied once
during 1978 and three times during 1979 did
not give adequate long-term control. The
reduction in number of shoots gave the
appearance of control but the root system

remained intact and uninjured by the her-
bicide treatments.

Field populations of bluebur were moni-
tored throughout the growing season. The
winter annual plants produced more seed than
the spring germinating individuals. A green-
house experiment with various levels of
available moisture clearly demonstrated that
the species can survive under a variety of
conditions. Plants flowered at all moisture
levels. At the lowest levels only one flower per
plant was produced. At the highest moisture
level hundreds of flowers per plant were
present.

WEED PHYSIOLOGY

Growth and development of quackgrass

Foliar applications of glycine (0.3 M) to
quackgrass seedlings under controlled condi-
tions increased tillering by approximately
40%. Applications of urea were relatively
ineffective. The response to glycine is of
particular interest because of its structural
similarity to the herbicide glyphosate which
also promotes tillering in quackgrass at
sublethal concentrations. The outgrowth of
the lateral buds on the rhizome, which was
induced by high humidity, was associated
with the arrested growth and subsequent
abortion of the rhizome apex.

Translocation and effect of glyphosate

A technique was developed to investigate
the translocation and effect on the quackgrass
rhizome buds of foliar-applied glyphosate.
Under controlled conditions, sufficient glypho-
sate was translocated into the rhizome in 6 h
to cause severe injury to the rhizome buds.
When bud growth was stimulated by increas-
ing the N supply, the uptake by the buds of
14C from 14C-labeled glyphosate was signifi-
cantly increased but the degree of bud and
leaf injury was markedly reduced. The dosage
required to kill the rhizome buds under
growth chamber conditions (i.e. 0.2 kg/ha) is
considerably smaller than the amount recom-
mended for use in the field.

Leafy spurge

The length and moisture content of the
leafy spurge root buds both increased signifi-
cantly within 24 h of the removal of the
parent shoot. Fully mature leaves exerted a

274

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

marked degree of root bud inhibition. Pro-
vision of a high humidity (95-100%) released
the buds from this leaf-induced inhibition and
significantly increased their rate of elongation
following removal of the parent shoot. This
response was prevented by conditions that
restricted aeration of root buds. The results
support the hypothesis that competition for
water between the root buds and the parent
shoot is a major factor in the mechanism of
bud inhibition.

Wild oat dormancy

The concentration of GA (gibberellic acid)
required to give germination of 90% or higher
(C ) in 10-day-imbibed dormant wild oat

^ max ' ■'

seeds was used to measure the depth of GA-
dependent dormancy. Dormant strains of
selected pure lines and Cmax values ranging
from 4 x 10"7 to zero. Using this technique
precise, quantitative differences were estab-
lished between genetically distinct strains.

Control of wild oats by delayed seeding

Field investigations were conducted to
determine the effect of delayed seeding on the
growth and yield of wheat, barley, and oats,
as a means of minimizing yield reductions
caused by wild oats. Averaged data for 4 yr
from two locations showed that delaying the
seeding of wheat by 10 and 20 days resulted
in a yield reduction of 3 and 16% and losses
per hectare of $23 and $97, respectively, when
yield and low grades were considered. The 10
and 20 day delay in seeding barley resulted in
economic losses of $54 and $71 /ha. In some
years a 10 day delay in seeding resulted in an
increase in the yield of grain but the decrease
in quality resulted in a decreased economic
return. The loss in return varied from season
to season and could not be accurately pre-
dicted at seeding time. The loss of revenue
due to the practice of delayed seeding always
exceeded the cost of applying the most
commonly used wild oat herbicide.

Persian darnel

This weed has shown a marked increase in
Saskatchewan during the last 4 yr and its
occurrence is now reported in 19 out of the 42
extension districts in the province. Although it
is a small weed which is rather inconspicuous
in the crop, preliminary investigations indi-
cate that it is quite competitive. Data col-
lected over 2 yr showed that 10 plants per
square metre reduced wheat yield by an

average of 7%, while 100 plants reduced yield
by 17.7%.

HERBICIDE BEHAVIOR IN THE
ENVIRONMENT

Air monitoring studies

Polyurethane foam plugs were used to
collect air samples at Regina and Indian
Head. A total of 120 samples were collected
daily from 3 May to 5 November at each site.
A clean-up procedure was developed to im-
prove the analysis of triallate. The limit of
detection was 0.5 ng/m3 (12.7 ng/m3 = 1 ppt
of triallate). All samples containing triallate
were confirmed by the ECD and N-detection
techniques and those containing high levels
were further confirmed by GC-MS tech-
nique. The highest levels of triallate, 20-100
ng/m3 at Regina and 20-60 ng/m3 at Indian
Head, were found during May. During the
rest of the sampling period the triallate levels
were in general less than 20 ng/m3 with
slightly higher amounts being detected after a
rainfall and in the fall after the fall treatment.
After the freeze-up in early November, the
triallate levels fell below the detection limit.

Surface runoff losses of 2,4-D

A 4 yr study was carried out to determine
the level of 2,4-D in surface runoff from
spring snowmelt. The samples were collected
at the Swift Current Research Station where
the herbicide was applied as a fall treatment
to control flixweed and stinkweed. In 1979 the
maximum 2,4-D concentration in the runoff
was 63 ppb, with mean concentration of 37
ppb. The total 2,4-D loss in the runoff was 8.4
g/ha, which represented 2% of the amount
applied.

Herbicide exposure levels of ground spray
operators

Thirty-three inhalation and 33 dermal
exposure samples were collected in 1978 and
1979. The herbicides sprayed included various
2,4-D formulations, MCPA, dicamba, and
several mixtures of these. The concentrations
of these herbicides in air during the spraying
varied from 500 to 32 000 ng/m3. The dermal
exposure levels ranged from 10 to 730 ng/cm2.
The respiratory exposure levels (based on low-
activity air intake) ranged from 10 to 14 000
ng/h. Amounts found were not correlated
with the type of formulations or the types of

RESEARCH STATION, REGINA. SASK.

275

herbicides being sprayed. However, the opera-
tors with cabs on their tractors were exposed
to consistently lower levels of herbicide than
those without cabs.

Degradation in soils

Soil persistence experiments conducted
with ring and carboxyl-labeled l4C-2,4-D in
three soil types confirmed the rapid break-
down of the chemical. No degradation pro-
ducts were detected nor did the 2,4-D become
bound or conjugated to the soil fulvic or
humic acid components. The presence of the
fungicide Vitavax or the insecticide mala-
thion, or a combination of the two, did not
affect the rate of breakdown of 2,4-D.

Persistence in soils

Work with field plots at three locations in
Saskatchewan indicated that carry-over from
soil treatments of EPTC, metribuzin, and
propanil should not be a problem. In all cases,
less than 5% of the initial applications were
recovered from the soil in the fall following
the spring treatments.

Loss of triallate and trifluralin from field
plots was not affected by the presence of
chloramben.

Where trifluralin was incorporated in soil in
the fall, 50-70% was lost by the following
May. These losses were considered to be a
result of volatility following chemical
application.

Herbicide residues in minor crops

Residues of triallate did not exceed the
limit of detection of the analytical methodol-
ogy (25 ppb) in alfalfa or the wheat and
barley companion crops. Crops were grown
under both dryland and irrigation conditions.

Analytical methods for herbicide residues in
minor crops

Several methods were developed for the
following herbicide/crop uses (the limits of
detection of the analytical methods are indi-
cated in parentheses): 2,4-D (50 ppb) in
triticale; triallate (50 ppb) in triticale; bro-
moxynil (20 ppb) in triticale; trifluraline (20
ppb) in fababeans; and metribuzin (50 ppb)
in lentils and fababeans.

CROP MANAGEMENT

New crops

In tests at Indian Head from 1976 to 1978,
seed yield and protein content of fababeans,
field peas, and lentils which were effectively
inoculated were not increased by additions of
nitrogen fertilizer up to 100 kg/ha. In 1979,
fababeans reacted similarly but two cultivars
of field peas and of lentils produced more seed
when inoculated and fertilized. The fababean
yield averaged 1470 kg/ha while the field pea
and lentil yields increased from 810 to 1210
and 970 to 1380 kg/ha, respectively, as
nitrogen was increased from 0 to 100 kg/ha.
Drought, low available soil nitrogen, and an
above-average amount of incorporated straw
from the previous crop of wheat may have
contributed to the results observed with field
peas and lentils. Further research is required
to relate available soil nitrogen and soil
moisture to the requirements of field pea and
lentil for additional nitrogen.

Forage crops

Two bromegrass/alfalfa tests were estab-
lished in 1977 on adjacent plots of summerfal-
low and stubble. Each test consisted of 10
treatments of five rates of nitrogen with
bromegrass/alfalfa in the same or alternate
rows. The average dry matter yield of the
summerfallow area decreased from 4300 kg/
ha in 1978 to 2770 kg/ha in 1979 (36%). The
corresponding yields for the stubble area were
2730 and 1990 kg/ha, a decline of 27%.
Yields of dry matter and density of the alfalfa
have only been marginally affected by fertil-
izer treatments or row arrangements. How-
ever, the plots established on stubble con-
tained more alfalfa (50 versus 39%) and in
1978 more nitrogen in the forage (2.45 versus
2.09%). Future results should have some
significance with respect to the question of
establishing cultivar and agronomic tests on
summerfallow or stubble.

Analysis

Flow injection analysis was originally pro-
posed by Ruzicka and Hansen as a new
concept in continuous flow analysis. A sample
injector was built at the Experimental Farm,
Indian Head, which permitted the automation
of the above analysis. The automated system
consists of a sampler, timer, pump, sample
injector, water bath, detector, and recorder.
The equipment is relatively inexpensive "and

276

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

has been used successfully to analyze plant
digests for nitrogen and phosphorus and soil
extracts for phosphorus.

Cereal crops

The performance of crops grown in varying
cropping sequences, with and without fertil-
izer, have been compared over a 22 yr period
at Indian Head. Unfertilized wheat grown
continuously produced yields equal to that for
wheat grown in fallow-wheat and fallow-
wheat-wheat sequences on a per cultivated
hectare basis. The addition of fertilizer sup-
plying nitrogen at rates of 100.8 kg/ha and
phosphorus at 19.4 kg/ha has increased the
average yield of continuous wheat per culti-
vated hectare by 25.5% over wheat grown in
the fallow-grain rotations. The continuous
cropping of wheat has made the control of
such weeds as Canada thistle and quackgrass
increasingly difficult throughout recent test
years. While fertilized wheat sown on stubble
land produced yields comparable to fallow
plantings in 1979, they have yielded an
average of 807 kg/ha less over the years.
Yields of unfertilized wheat on fallow, grown
in a sequence including sweetclover, has
produced yields equal to that for fertilized
wheat on fallow in a fallow-wheat-wheat
cropping sequence.

In 1979 applications of monoammonium
phosphate to wheat grown on fallow in a 3 yr
fallow-wheat-wheat rotation supplying phos-
phorus at rates of 0-23.6 kg/ha did not
provide yield increases approaching the long-
term averages. This lack of satisfactory crop
response was largely attributed to moisture
deficiencies which occurred in the 1979
growing season. While response of wheat to
monoammonium phosphate has exhibited
much variability over the years, additions of
phosphorus at rates of 18.9 and 23.6 kg/ha
has resulted in average yield increases of 5.7
and 7.2 kg/ha, respectively, over the past 35
yr period. The incorporation of barnyard
manure in the fallow year at a rate of 20 t/ha
has increased 1st and 2nd yr wheat yields by
an average of 20.5%. The addition of phos-
phorus at 9.4 kg/ha increased fallow yields by
a further 5%.

Local experimentation has shown that the
practice of delayed seeding on fallow beyond
the 2nd wk of May can significantly reduce
the yield of wheat, oats, barley, and flax.
Maximum yield potential can best be assured
by seeding early using 1 1-48-0 at 88 kg/ha as
a fertilizer starter. Over the past 4 yr the
average yield of wheat and barley was in-
creased by 6.4%, oats by 3.0%, and flax by
1.7% using such treatments.

The continuous cropping of clay soils to
wheat, flax, and barley required substantial
amounts of nitrogen and phosphates for
maximum crop yields. Studies at Indian Head
have shown stubble crop yields were increased
an average of 273% in 1979 through the
banding of nitrogen at 78.4 kg/ha and phos-
phorus at 44.8 kg/ha at seeding. Highest
response was recorded for wheat at 1237 kg/
ha, followed by flax and barley with increases
of 845.6 and 478.8 kg/ha, respectively.

SEED INCREASE AND
DISTRIBUTION

In 1979, Agriculture Canada released to
SeCan 175 800 kg of Benito wheat, 2028 kg
of Bedford barley, and 376 kg of Cascade
oats, which were increased at Regina. Seed of
the new hybrid sunflower CMH 101 was
produced at Regina and released to the seed
trade. Breeder seed of 44 cultivars of cereal
and oilseed crops was released to 262 growers.

The 6.7 ha winter increase nursery in
California was used by 32 breeders. This is a
small increase in size from last year. A new
power seeder using seed tray casettes was
successfully built to improve the efficiency of
the planting operation in California.

In 1979 the 4201 samples collected by the
Food Production and Inspection Branch and
by the Canadian Seed Growers Association
were grown for verification of purity. The
results show a continued reduction in the
number of samples with contamination, and a
general improvement of purity. A few varie-
ties continue to contain a higher than average
amount of off-types but these are being
reduced as the purified breeder seed works
through the system.

RESEARCH STATION, REGINA. SASK.

277

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bowes, G.; Hunter, J.; Honey, G. K. 1979. Keeping
track of weed reseach by computer. Range-
lands 1:145.

Grover, R.; Banting, J. D.; Morse, P. M. 1979.
Adsorption and bioactivity of diallate, triallate,
and trifluralin. Weed Res. 19.

Harris, P. 1979. Cost of biological control of weeds
by insects in Canada. Weed Sci. 27:242-250.

Harris, P.; Cranston, R. 1979. An economic evalua-
tion of control methods for diffuse and spotted
knapweed in Western Canada. Can. J. Plant

Sci. 59:375-382.

Holt, N. W.; Sosulski, F. W. 1979. Amino acid
composition and protein quality of field peas.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:653-660.

Hsiao, A. I. 1979. The effect of sodium hypochlorite
and gibberellic acid on seed dormancy and
germination of wild oats (Avena fatua). Can.
J. Bot. 57:1729-1734.

Hsiao, A. I. 1979. The effect of sodium hypochlo-
rite, gibberellic acid and light on seed dor-
mancy and germination of wild buckwheat
{Polygonum convolvulus) and cow cockle
(Saponaria vaccaria). Can. J. Bot. 57:1735-
1739.

Hsiao, A. I.; MacGregor, M. E.; Banting, J. D.
1 979. The use of sodium hypochlorite in testing
the seed viability of wild oats. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:1047-1052.

Mclntyre, G. I. 1979. Developmental studies on
Euphorbia esula. Evidence of competition for
water as a factor in the mechanism of root bud
inhibition. Can. J. Bot. 57:2572-2581.

Peschken, D. P. 1979. Biologishe Unkrautbeham-
pung in Kanada mit Hilfe von Insekten und
Nematoden. Z. Ang. Entomol. 88:1-16.

Peschken, D. P.; Johnson, G. R. 1979. Host speci-
ficity and suitability of Lema cyanella (Cole-
optera: Chrysomelidae) a candidate for the
biological control of Canada thistle (Cirsium
arvense). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:1059-1068.

Qureshi, F. A.; Mclntyre, G. I. 1979. Apical
dominance in the rhizome of Agropyron rep-
ens: The influence of nitrogen and humidity on
the translocation of l4C-labelled assimilates.
Can. J. Bot. 57:1229-1235.

Smith, A. E. 1979. Extraction of free and bound
carboxylic acid residues from field soils treated
with the herbicides benzoylprop-ethyl, di-
clofop-methyl, and flamprop-methyl. J. Agric.
Food Chem. 27:428-432.

Smith, A. E. 1979. Transformation of (l4C) 2,4-D
in herbicidal mixtures, and field persistence
studies with tri-allate and tri-fluralin both
singly and combined. Weed Res. 19:165-170.

Smith, A. E. 1979. Soil persistence experiments
with (l4C) 2,4-D in herbicidal mixtures, and
field persistence studies with triallate and
trifluralin both singly and combined. Weed
Res. 19:171-190.

Smith, A. E.; Hayden, B. J. 1979. Method for the
determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
acid residues in urine. J. Chromatogr. 171:482-
485.

Walker, A.; Smith, A. E. 1979. Persistence of 2,4,5-
T in a heavy clay soil. Pestic. Sci. 10:151-157.

Miscellaneous

Bowes, G. G. 1978. General methods of forage
establishment in Western Canada. Pages 129-
134 in J. D. McElgunn, ed. Pasture systems for
the cow-calf. Agric. Can. Res. Stn. Publ.,
Swift Current, Sask.

Cliath, M. M.; Spencer, W. F.; Shoup, T.; Grover,
R.; Farmer, W. J. 1979. Volatilization of
EPTC from water during flood irrigation of an
alfalfa field. Div. Pestic. Chem., Am. Chem.
Soc, 177th Natl. Meet. (Honolulu), Abstract
No. 56.

Grover, R. 1979. Reducing droplet drift. Report on
Farming 99(3):28C.

Grover, R.; Smith, A. E.; Korven, H. C. 1979.
Residue levels in irrigation water and in
ditches following application of several her-
bicides for ditchbank maintenance. Plains
Aquatic Res. Conf. pp. 6-7.

Harris, P. 1979. The biological control of leafy
spurge. Proc. Leafy Spurge Symp., Bismarck,
N.D. pp. 25-34.

Hsiao, A. I. 1979. Factors affecting the sodium seed
viability test for wild oats {Avena fatua L.).
Plant Physiol. 63(Suppl.):68.

Hsiao, A. I.; Worsham, A. D.; Moreland, D. E.
1979. Factors affecting conditioning and ger-
mination of witchweed {Striga asiatica (L.)
Kuntze) seeds under laboratory conditions.
Pages 193-201 in L. J. Musselman, A. D.
Worsham, and R. E. Eplee, eds. Proc. 2nd Int.
Symp. Parasitic Weeds. North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, N.C.

Hunter, J. H. 1978. Propanil mixtures for the
control of green foxtail and broad-leaved weeds
in cereals. Proc. N.C. Weed Control Conf.
33:57.

278

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Hunter, J. H. 1978. A critical analysis of the
herbicide evaluation system. Problems encoun-
tered in efficacy evaluation. Minutes Expert
Comm. on Weeds (West. Can.), pp. 26-28.

Hunter, J. H. 1979. Handling herbicides. News and
Features No. 1824:6-8.

Hunter, J. H. 1979. Handling herbicides safely.
Farm Light and Power (June):5.

Maybank, J.; Grover, R.; Yoshida, K. 1979. Drop-
let drift from agricultural herbicide applica-
tions. In Symposium on Biologically Active
Chemicals in the Air. Div. Pestic. Chem., Am.
Chem. Soc. 177th Natl. Meet. (Honolulu),
Abstract No. 54.

Mclntyre, G. I. 1979. Role of water distribution in
plant tropisms. Plant Physiol. 63(Suppl.):156.

Molloy, M. M.; Maw, M. G. 1979. Permanent weed
seedling plastic mounts. Weeds Today
10(2):23.

Quick, W.; Mclntyre, G. I. 1979. Water competi-
tion and apical dominance in the potato. Proc.
W. Regional Meet. Can. Soc. Plant Physiol.
(Abstract).

Smith, A. E. 1979. Some thoughts on the dissipa-
tion of herbicide residues from natural waters
at the parts per trillion level. Plains Aquatic
Res. Conf. pp. 14-15.

Thomas, A. G.; Bowes, G. G. 1979. Demographic
studies of leafy spurge populations. Bull. Ecol.
Soc. Am. 60(2): 1 10 (Abstract).

Thomas, A. G. 1979. Manitoba weed survey ques-
tionnaire data 1978. Weed Survey Ser. Publ.
79-1.31 pp.

Thomas, A. G. 1979. Weed survey of cultivated
land in Saskatchewan. Weed Survey Ser. Publ.
79-2. 141 pp.

Thomas, A. G. 1979. Weed survey of cultivated
land in Manitoba. Weed Survey Ser. Publ. 79-
3. 153 pp.

RESEARCH STATION, REGINA, SASK.

279

Research Station
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

R. K. Downey, O.C., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.,

FA. I.C., F.R.S.C.
R. D. Tinline, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. J. Peters
E. J. Watson1
H. K. Milne

D. T. Spurr, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
M. E. Taylor, B.S.A.

Acting Director

Acting Assistant Director

Assistant Administrative Officer

Assistant Librarian

Computer Systems Programmer

Statistician

Research Information Officer

Crop Management and Project Farms

K. J. Kirkland, B.S.A., M.Sc

S. A. Brandt, B.S.A., M.Sc

Head of Section; Weeds and crop

management
Agronomy

Plant Breeding and Agronomy

B. P. Goplen, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

W. L. Crowle, B.S.A. , M.Sc.

R. K. Downey, OC, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.,

FA. I.C., F.R.S.C.
R. E. Howarth, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. J. Klassen, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
R. P. Knowles, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D., F.A.I.C.
G. L. Lees, B.Sc, Ph.D.
D. I. McGregor, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
L. G. Sonmor, B.S.A., M.Sc.
G. R. Stringam, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
H. Ukrainetz, B.S.A.
D. L. Woods, B.Pharm., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Legume breeding
Cereals and crop management
Oilseed breeding: rapeseed

Legume bloat: biochemistry
Oilseed breeding: rapeseed
Grass breeding

Legume bloat: plant physiology
Physiology of Brassica spp.
Irrigation

Cytogenetics of Brassica spp.
Soil fertility

Oilseed breeding: mustard,
sunflowers

research station, saskatoon, sask.

281

Entomology

R. H. Burrage, B.S.A., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.
L. Burgess, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. P. Arthur, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

C. H. Craig, B.A.

G. R. F. Davis, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. F. Doane, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

A. B. Ewen, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.

R. J. Ford, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. J. H. Fredeen, B.S.A., M.Sc.

L. B. Hayles,2 D.V.M. & S., Ph.D., M.R.C.V.S.

Y. W. Lee, B.S., M.S.

K. S. McKinlay, B.Sc

M. K. Mukerji, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

O. O. Olfert, B.Sc, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

N. D. Westcott, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Wireworms
Associate Head; Oilseed crop

insects
Oilseed crop insects
Forage crop insects
Insects, physiology, nutrition
Insects, ecology, behavior
Insects, ecology, pathology
Engineering
Black flies

Mosquitoes and arboviruses
Pesticides, chemistry
Pesticides, toxicology
Insects, management
Insects, ecology
Pesticides, chemistry

Plant Pathology

R. D. Tinline, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

L. J. Duczek, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. Dueck, B.S.A.. M.Sc, Ph.D.
H. Harding, B.Sc, Ph.D.
G. A. Pétrie, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
J. D. Smith, B.Sc, M.Sc

P. R. Verma, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Cereal root

diseases
Cereal root diseases
Oilseed crop diseases
Cereal root diseases
Oilseed crop diseases
Forage and low-temperature

diseases
Cereal root diseases

Departures

J. C. BOYER

Retired 28 December 1979
S. J. Campbell, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Resigned 8 September 1979
J. E. R. Greenshields, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.,
FA. l.C.

Retired 28 December 1979
A. E. McPherson, B.A., B.L.S., M.A.

Resigned 15 June 1979

Administrative Officer

Oilseed breeding: sunflowers

Director

Library Area Coordinator

282

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

VISITING SCIENTISTS

J. R. King, B.Sc, Ph.D. Plant physiology

National Research Council of Canada visiting

fellow, 1978-1980
S. K. Raina, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. Insect physiology

Rotary Foundation Fellow, 1977;

National Research Council of Canada visiting

fellow, 1978-1980

Graduate students

D. Dostaler, B.Sc, M.Sc. Plant pathology

D. S. Hutcheson, B.A., B.S.A. Plant breeding

C. S. Saha, M.Ag., M.S. Plant breeding

B. E. Tochor, B.S.A. Plant breeding

C. L. Vera, Ing. Agron. Plant breeding

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

:On leave, FAO assignment to Somalia, East Africa, from 1 October 1979 to 30 September 1980.

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK. 283

INTRODUCTION

Research programs at the Saskatoon Research Station and the Scott Experimental Farm
emphasize yield, quality improvement, and protection of the main forage and edible oilseed
crops, wheat, and barley. The ecology and control of black flies and mosquitoes are also
important areas of investigation.

The elucidation of the causes of pasture bloat has resulted in the development of rapid
selection techniques essential for the development of a bloat-safe alfalfa, while the release of
Crée, a new winter-hardy birdsfoot trefoil cultivar, will further extend the adaptation of this
nonbloating forage legume. Incorporation of resistance to the major diseases of rape and
mustard into improved cultivars is proceeding rapidly, while the combined use of a
microsporidian and ultralow insecticide dosage bran baits promise a new and effective system
for grasshopper control.

We regret the early retirement of Dr. J. E. R. Greenshields, Director of this Station for
the past 15 yr. His leadership and expertise will be greatly missed. We will also sorely miss
Administrative Officer J. C. Boyer, who retired, and Area Library Coordinator Arlean
McPherson and sunflower breeder Dr. S. J. Campbell, who resigned during the year.

Previous reports and reprints of publications can be obtained from the Saskatoon
Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 107 Science Cres., Saskatoon, Sask.
S7N 0X2.

R. K. Downey
Acting Director

CROPS

Oilseeds

Rapeseed breeding. The changeover to low
erucic, low glucosinolate rapeseed varieties is
progressing favorably, with 67% of the 1979
Canadian hectarage seeded to such "double
low"" varieties. The Brassica campestris L.
variety Candle, released from the Saskatoon
Station in 1977, occupied approximately
800 000 ha or 25.3% of the total rapeseed
hectarage.

A number of promising double low B.
campestris strains evaluated in cooperative
trials were superior to Candle in seed yield
and oil content. Several of these also have
genetic resistance to race 7 of white rust,
Albugo Candida (Pers. ex Lev.) Ktze. They
represent potential replacements for Candle if
their performance continues to be superior in
1 980 tests.

Pure yellow-seeded, double low B.
campestris strains have been developed
through a greenhouse crossing program. They
were similar in yield to the yellow brown
strains from which they were developed and
equal or superior to them in oil content.

Seed stocks of one B. napus L. and three B.
campestris strains with high erucic acid oil

and low glucosinolate meal are being multi-
plied in California. The B. napus strain has
44.3% erucic and 0.7 mg glucosinolates, while
the B. campestris strains range from 49.5 to
51.7% erucic and 2.3 to 3.8 mg glucosinolates.
Selection with the aid of bud analysis was
successful in reducing glucosinolate level in
high erucic B. campestris strains to less than
1 mg.

An interspecific crossing program designed
to transfer earliness from B. campestris to B.
napus has produced several double low,
advanced generation B. napus lines which are
earlier than any present B. napus cultivars,
and up to 10% higher yielding.

Natural abortion in rapeseed. Studies of
the sequence and pattern of flower production
in B. napus and B. campestris have shown
that a considerable number of buds and
flowers abort rather than produce seed-
bearing pods. This natural abortion may
exceed 50% of the number of flowers that
open. Abortion occurs predominantly toward
the end of flowering, or after, and is most
prevalent on late-developing inflorescences.
Retention of some of the buds, flowers, or
pods that otherwise would have aborted is at
least a partial explanation why rapeseed is

284

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

able to recover quickly from hailstorms, often
with little loss of harvestable seed.

Isolation distances for seed rape produc-
tion. Field trials have determined the effec-
tiveness of isolation distance in preventing
cross-contamination in B. napus. Using the
1973 Canadian Seed Growers' Association
regulations for isolation distance in pedigreed
seed production as a guide, plots for a B.
napus strain containing a recessive genetic
marker were sown to determine the relative
amount of pollen contamination from adja-
cent fields. Average contamination levels from
five tests over 4 yr were 2.1, 1.1, and 0.6% at
isolation distances of 46, 137, and 366 m.
These contamination levels are considerably
lower than reported previously for B.
campestris. The data indicate that different
isolation requirements for pedigreed seed
production should be considered for B. napus
and B. campestris.

Mustard breeding and management. Four
lines of yellow mustard yielding 10% more
than existing licensed cultivars have been
identified. Advanced lines of high oil, high
erucic acid yellow mustard have also been
identified; all have exceeded Sabre in yield
while containing at least 2% more oil. High
erucic yellow mustard oil is used as an
industrial oil source in the USA, but so far
not in Canada.

Time of swathing experiments have been
conducted at Saskatoon on both mustard
species over a 4 yr period. Early swathing,
when seeds contained about 45% moisture,
resulted in a significant lowering of seed
yields but did not affect the incidence of green
seeds or the level of glucosinolates. Reduced
yields are largely attributable to small seed
size. Highest yield and quality resulted when
fields were swathed with seed moistures of less
than 30%.

Grasses

Selection of bromegrass for better re-
growth characteristics. Smooth bromegrass,
Bromus inermis Leyss., has a reputation of
slow regrowth following a hay harvest. Under
a two- or three-cut per season schedule, as
used for bromegrass-alfalfa mixtures, this
results in little grass in the mixture in later
cuts. Where second growth is used for pasture
it results in predominantly legume regrowth
and increased danger of bloat. Thus, interspe-
cific crosses were made to introduce the more
rapid recovery of meadow bromegrass,

Bromus riparius Rehm, into smooth brome-
grass. A group of 43 F,, F2, and F3 plants from
crosses of meadow bromegrass x smooth
bromegrass were selected for recovery in the
fall of 1978. During the winter of 1978-1979
these plants were allowed to intercross to
allow further selection. Following clipping
and seed harvest in the greenhouse, an 18 cm
pot of each plant was clipped monthly at a 2.5
cm level until August. Eighteen smooth
bromegrass plants were clipped in a similar
manner. Total pot yields of clippings for a 5
mo period varied from 6.7 to 15.9 g per pot
for crosses compared to 2.7 to 10.0 g for
smooth bromegrass. The considerable range
of regrowth for hybrids suggests that this may
be a useful method of breeding a better
recovery bromegrass.

Legumes

Pasture bloat in cattle. Certain legume
forage crops cause pasture bloat because they
are digested very rapidly, while bloat-safe
legumes are digested more slowly (see
Canada Agriculture 24(3):6-9; 1979). On the
basis of this knowledge we are selecting two
strains of alfalfa, one with a slow rate of
digestion and the other with a fast rate of
digestion. The slow strain is expected to have
lower bloat potency, and is intended to form
the basis of a new, bloat-safe alfalfa cultivar.
First-generation plants of the fast and slow
strains have been selected using a modified
nylon bag technique in fistulated cattle.
Although this modified technique has been
very useful in demonstrating that alfalfa
genotypes differ in their initial rates of
digestion, it is a time-consuming technique.
Therefore, we have continued the develop-
ment of faster, simpler techniques for use in
breeding a bloat-safe alfalfa variety.

The most promising new technique is based
upon the rate of leaf tissue digestion by a
purified enzyme which selectively degrades
the pectin constituent of the leaf tissue. Discs
of leaf tissue are incubated with pectinase
enzyme and the area of pectin digestion is
subsequently revealed by staining with a
pectin-specific stain. Because the technique
requires only a few leaves, it can be applied to
seedling plants, thus greatly reducing the cost
of screening large numbers of plants.

An alternative approach is to select plants
which have greater mechanical strength of
leaf tissues. This approach is based on the
premise that leaves which are more resistant

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

285

to mechanical damage will have less bloat
potency. Leaves are disrupted with an ultra-
sonic sonifier and the amount of chlorophyll
released is used to measure the extent of leaf
damage. These new techniques are being
applied to the development of new alfalfa
strains from agronomically superior varieties.
The new strains will be tested for bloat
potency in cattle-feeding trials.

Birdsfoot trefoil breeding. Crée, a winter-
hardy cultivar of birdsfoot trefoil developed at
Saskatoon, was licensed in 1979. It is the first
trefoil cultivar bred in Western Canada. This
breeding project started in 1950 and involved
several generations of selection for increased
winterhardiness and superior agronomic
traits, such as high forage and seed yields and
seedling vigor. Extensive performance testing
was carried out from 1960 to 1975 throughout
the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia.
These tests showed Crée to be more winter-
hardy and approximately 15% higher in
forage and seed yield than the standard
Empire cultivar. In comparison with the
recently licensed Eastern Canadian cultivar
Leo, Crée is equal to Leo in hardiness and
forage yield, but it is higher in seed yield and
has excellent seedling vigor. Crée will proba-
bly find its greatest use where alfalfa cannot
be grown because of inadequate drainage or
excess acidity and when bloat is a problem.
Seeds Canada (SeCan) is responsible for seed
increase and distribution of Crée.

Cereals

Wheat breeding. This program has concen-
trated on the identification of high-yielding,
readily identifiable utility-type wheat strains.
Advanced Saskatoon breeding material now
included or ready for inclusion in the non-
bread cooperative wheat trials has been
selected for medium grain quality and white
or nearly white seed color.

Agronomy and weed control

Effect of tillage, fertilizer, and seeding
date on yield of cereals. Combined tillage,
fertilizer, and date of seeding treatments for
wheat production on Gray Wooded soils have
indicated that a 10 day delay in seeding from
early to mid-May results in an 8% yield
reduction. Delayed seeding also reduced
volume weight, which led to grade reductions
in at least 3 of the 20 yr of testing. Fertilizer
(N at 6 kg and P at 27 kg/ha) increased

yields by 20% and hastened maturity, particu-
larly for the late-seeded treatments. Packing
either before or after seeding did not affect
wheat yields significantly, nor did harrowing
3-5 days after seeding.

Fall tillage treatments applied to wheat
stubble on Gray Wooded soil led to moderate
yield increases in the succeeding barley crop.
Nitrogen applied in the fall at 22.5 kg/ha
increased yields by 39% over the past 8 yr.
Subsoiling increased spring soil moisture
levels over the untreated check, whereas
tillage treatments which bury the stubble,
such as double discing or tilling with a rotary
cultivator, reduced soil moisture the following
spring. Highest yields were obtained with the
combination of subsoiling and fertilizing.

Effects of date of seeding and phosphate
fertilizer on sunflowers. The sunflower culti-
var Saturn was seeded on Scott loam fallow
on five successive dates (11, 15, 1 8, 23, and 30
May 1978) with and without P at 19.7 kg/ha
as a side band application. Soil temperatures
at seed depth reached 4.4°C on 20 May and
remained above this level except for slight
decreases on two nights in early June.

Highest seed yield without fertilizer was
obtained from the earliest seeding, but the
highest fertilized yield and largest yield
increase (580 kg/ha) from phosphate fertil-
izer were obtained from the 18 May seeding.
The phosphate fertilizer advanced flowering
of the crop by 4-6 days, and increased mature
height of plants by 3.3-11.7 cm. Seed oil-
content was not affected by phosphate fertil-
izer on the first two dates of seeding in 1979,
but percent oil decreased for the last three
seeding dates without fertilizer, and phos-
phate fertilizer maintained oil levels higher
than in the checks.

Effects of nitrogen source, rate, and place-
ment for crops on stubble land. On a Black
Waseca loam soil having very low available
N, but under good moisture conditions,
Neepawa wheat responded to rates of N up to
180 kg/ha, giving a yield increase of 2365 kg/
ha (210%). With the same rates of applied N,
but under less favorable growing conditions
on a Gray Luvisol Loon River loam, max-
imum increases of Bonanza barley and Can-
dle rapeseed were less, amounting to 1418 kg/
ha (60%) and 828 kg/ha (128%). Data
showed that adequate phosphate was required
for maximum response to nitrogen.

286

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

There were no significant differences
among nitrogen sources or methods of appli-
cation on Waseca soil when ammonium
nitrate or urea was broadcast or side banded
with wheat, barley, and rapeseed. However,
on the Loon River soil, having low organic
matter and cation exchange capacity, urea
produced lower yields than ammonium ni-
trate. Side banding urea supplying N at rates
above 45 kg/ha on Loon River soil sharply
reduced yields of barley and rapeseed, indi-
cating that a 4 cm separation of seed and urea
fertilizer in this soil was not sufficient to
prevent fertilizer phytotoxicity.

Weed control. The efficacy of six herbicides
for the control of the wild oat (Avena fatua
L.) was compared in wheat, 1976-1979, at
Scott and Saskatoon. All six herbicides (bar-
ban, triallate, benzoylprop-ethyl, difenzoquat,
diclofop-methyl, and flamprop-methyl) pro-
duced wheat yield increases over the course of
the study. However, yield increases tended to
be greater in years when wild oat populations
were highest. Yield increases obtained from
applying a herbicide ranged from 8 to 24%,
with diclofop-methyl consistently producing
the largest increase. Reduction in the dry
matter weight of wild oats ranged from 29 to
97%, with diclofop-methyl also producing the
largest weight reductions. Competition from
wild oats treated at the two-leaf stage did not
reduce wheat yields when compared to the
weed-free check, provided the kill obtained
was rapid.

Zero tillage. Interest in reduced tillage or
"zero" tillage farming has increased consider-
ably in Saskatchewan in recent years. In the
southwest and west-central regions, drought is
always a concern and summerfallow is used
extensively to reduce the risks associated with
extended crop rotations. At Scott, chemical
fallow (no soil disturbance) has been investi-
gated extensively as a possible replacement
for conventional tillage fallow. The advan-
tages observed for chemical fallow have been:
equal or improved weed control, elimination
of wind erosion, increased moisture conser-
vation, reduced energy costs, and equal or
improved yields of succeeding crops. The
major disadvantage, however, is cost, which at
present is approximately three times that of
tillage fallow.

PLANT DISEASES

Diseases of oilseeds

Blackleg of rapeseed. The virulent strain of
blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.)
Ces. & de Not.) was found for the first time
on rapeseed in northwestern Saskatchewan in
1979. This represents a considerable extension
of the area of occurrence of this potentially
serious disease. Previously, it was present in
east-central and northeastern districts. How-
ever, although the disease was prevalent late
in the growing season, occurring in 55% of
Saskatchewan fields sampled, it was present
only in 18% of those entered in midsummer,
and then usually only in slight amounts. Such
a late-season buildup of the disease, of little
significance from a yield loss standpoint in the
current year's crop, has been noted for several
years. Data from a 4 yr study of seasonal
ascospore discharge patterns of the fungus
indicate that most spores are released after
the crop has passed its stage of greatest
susceptibility to infection. It follows that if
there is little deviation from the sporulation
patterns observed to date, blackleg should not
be as severe a disease in Canada as it is in
countries such as Australia where ascospores
are liberated and cause infection throughout
most, if not all, of the year.

Rhizoctonia diseases of rapeseed. Rhizoc-
tonia damping-off, seedling blight, and foot
rot have caused some concern in Saskatche-
wan in recent years. In 1979, Rhizoctonia was
present in 95% of fields sampled late in the
season. In the spring, the seedling phase of
this disease was severe and many farmers
resowed their rape fields. Screening for resist-
ance to Rhizoctonia has proceeded in con-
junction with screening for blackleg resist-
ance. A number of lines resistant to both
diseases have been identified.

White rust of rapeseed. Breeding lines of B.
campestris resistant to race 7 of white rust
are now in an advanced stage of development
and were included in the cooperative rapeseed
and rape strain tests in 1979. Incorporation of
resistance to race 2 of this disease into
agronomically desirable cultivars of B. juncea
(L.) Coss. is also progressing satisfactorily.

The staghead phase of white rust was
controlled effectively on the cultivar Torch by
a single application of the fungicide Ridomil
(Ciba-Geigy) supplying active ingredient
(a.i.) at 0.4 kg/ha when sprayed at crop stage

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

287

3.2. A study of the metabolism of this
fungicide in rape plants is under way. Two of
its metabolites have been partially purified
but require further purification before they
can be chemically identified.

Sclerotinia stem rot of rapeseed. A pre-
plant incorporation into soil of Coniothyrium
miniums Campbell, which is a hyperparasite
of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary,
reduced incidence of stem rot of rape by 50%
when conditions favored a moderate disease
outbreak. Under highly favorable disease
conditions the application of C. minitans was
ineffective as a biological control. At one
naturally infested location the number of
sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in soil declined by
70% over summer in the absence of a host
crop.

Resistance of rapeseed and sunflower to
Sclerotinia. Two selections from the sun-
flower inbred HA61 showed a moderate level
of resistance to Sclerotinia. For rapeseed, an
ascospore growth-room inoculation technique
was developed which simulates conditions of
natural infection. The technique will assist in
evaluating lines for resistance.

Diseases of cereals

Common root rot. In 1979, the estimated
loss from the disease in red spring wheat in
Saskatchewan was 5.5%. This value is consid-
erably higher than that for 1978 (2.9%), but
below the average of 7.4% for 1969-1978.

In the recurrent selection program for
superior resistance in wheat, selections were
made among some 2300 lines of the F4 or F5
generations from crosses between fairly resist-
ant parents. Selection commenced in the F3
generation. The frequency of lines showing
good potential was considerably higher in the
F5 than F4 material. Some 1200 barley lines
were screened and about 14% were saved for
further testing since they appeared less dis-
eased than Bonanza. Of 19 lines that had
performed well in 2 or 3 yr of testing, 14
continued to display higher resistance than
Bonanza.

On acid loam, fallow soil at Scott the
intensity of root rot in Neepawa wheat was
little affected by N or P fertilizer with the
seed but it was consistently, though only
slightly, reduced by the application of K with
N and P. The test was conducted in each of 6

yr-

Over 90% of conidia of Cochliobolus sa-
tivus (Ito & Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dastur, the

major cause of common root rot in the
prairies, were found in the top 10 cm of soil in
commercial fields. Where minimum tillage
was practiced, over 90% of the conidia were in
the top 5 cm of soil, while in plowed soils,
conidia were almost evenly distributed
throughout the top 20 cm, and were com-
monly found in the 20-30 cm profile.

Seed treatment with the systemic fungicide
imazalil, EL 228 (Elanco), Bayleton (Che-
magro), Baytan (Chemagro), or RH 2161
(Rohm & Haas) at rates supplying the active
ingredient below 1 g/kg seed significantly
reduced the incidence and severity of common
root rot in Cypress and Neepawa wheat in
field tests. A dosage response was evident in
disease suppression. Treatment effects on
yield, however, were inconclusive.

Morphological changes such as shortening
and thickening of subcrown internodes, and
formation of deeper crowns and coleoptile-
node-tillers were induced by all five fun-
gicides. Of 22 seed treatments tested, only
those containing EL 228, RH 2161, and
Baytan reduced common root rot of Gait
barley but this was not accompanied by a
significant yield increase over the nontreated
control.

Attempts were made to improve the toxin-
producing capacity of two morphologically
distinct isolates of C. sativus. Toxin produc-
tion was assayed by the degree of inhibition of
seed germination of Neepawa and Little Club
wheat. Single spore and mass transfer series
were established and after each generation
the best toxin-producing culture was selected.
From this culture 10 single spores or 10 mass
transfers were made and the process of
selection was repeated. After 16 to 20 genera-
tions no increase in toxin production has been
recorded. Toxin production decreased some-
what in the mass-transfer series but it appears
to have stabilized at this lower level. No
changes in colony morphology have become
apparent during this period of time.

Several hundred isolates of C. sativus were
categorized on the basis of colony morphol-
ogy, mating type, and toxin production to
study the range of variation in the fungus.
Four new spore-color mutants were isolated
and a total of 29 spore-color mutants were
tested for pathogenicity, toxin production,
colony morphology, and mating type. All
produced lesions on subcrown internodes of
Neepawa wheat, although there were marked
differences in virulence. There was a similar
range in toxin-producing capacity. There was

288

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

a wide range of colony types as determined on
a Series of differential media based on 20
different protein hydrolysate preparations.
Both mating types were represented: 1 1 of
type A and 1 8 of type a.

A 2000-citation bibliography of C. sativus
has been compiled and made computer-
accessible with the FAMULUS program.

Low-temperature diseases. At Saskatoon,
severe Sclerotinia borealis Bub. & Vleug.
snow mold was induced in Cougar fall rye
plots by inoculation with cultures of the
fungus grown on sterile rye grain and trap-
ping of snow with fences. One fall application
of quintozene fungicide supplying active
ingredient at 5 kg/ha increased plant survival
by nearly 100% and grain yield about 80%. In
a similar test with Sundance winter wheat,
plant survival was increased about 50% by the
fungicide but the crop yield was not signifi-
cantly affected. Similar results were obtained
in previous years. Apparently, a sizable
reduction in plant number may be sustained
by winter cereals before there is a significant
yield loss. This is probably because surviving
plants compensate to a considerable degree
for the killed plants. It is quite characteristic
that after frost and disease injury, plot areas
of winter wheat which recover are later in
ripening than undamaged portions.

Plenodomus meliloti Dearness & Sandford
was recorded for the first time on cereals in
Canada in 1979. Its protopycnidia were
abundant on winter wheat plants showing
severe winter injury collected at Lacombe and
Three Hills, Alta., and several locations in
Saskatchewan. The structures occurred on the
shoot bases and along roots to a depth of 10
cm. The fungus was also found on fall rye and
winterkilled red clover and alfalfa in Sas-
katchewan. It had been collected from snow
mold damaged turfgrass in Western Canada
in 1972, but not identified. On many of the
dead wheat plants bearing it, the sclerotia of
the sclerotial low-temperature basidiomycete
(SLTB) were abundant, mainly on the shoot
bases. The SLTB is a common snow mold
pathogen of turfgrasses and some forage
grasses in Western Canada, but is less active
than the nonsclerotial low-temperature basid-
iomycete (LTB). Plenodomus, the SLTB, and
low-temperature-tolerant Fusarium spp. were
isolated from dead alfalfa crowns in Sas-
katchewan in the spring of 1979, but the LTB
was not found to be involved. This raises
doubts about whether the latter pathogen,

which is important in alfalfa snow mold
damage in parts of Alberta, is of similar
importance in Saskatchewan.

Fungi active at temperatures a few degrees
above the freezing point may be of impor-
tance in killing or injuring winter cereals in
spring which have already been damaged by
frost or snow molds that tolerate lower
temperatures. To obtain data on which groups
of fungi might be involved, spring rye, wheat,
and barley seed was treated with three
fungicidal seed dressings with different spec-
tra of activity and sown so late in the fall of
1978 that they did not germinate until the
spring of 1979. In this way, the cereals would
largely avoid attacks by snow molds but
would be exposed to fungi active in early
spring. However, there was no significant
improvement in plant stand or crop yield from
the treatments compared with the controls.
The results suggest two alternative situations:
(a) that there was little fungal injury, (b) the
fungicides applied as seed dressings had little
effect; this is a general experience of fungici-
dal seed dressings applied to control snow
molds. Fungicides that are intended to be
used to control pathogens attacking damaged
cereals in spring may be more effective
applied as sprays at that time, in the same
manner as those used to control snow molds
before winter.

Complexes of snow molds are known to be
important in killing winter cereals in snowy
years in Western Canada. The same patho-
gens found in the West were noted on winter
wheat in southern Ontario in cooperative
disease surveys with the Ottawa Research
Station. Sclerotinia borealis, Typhula
ishikariensis Imai. var. canadensis Smith &

Arsvoll, T. incarnata Lasch ex Fries and F.
nivale (Fr.) Ces. were present, but much of
the winter injury was due to low-temperature
killing.

ENTOMOLOGY

Oilseed insects

Flea beetles. Two additional crucifer-feed-
ing flea beetles from the province were
identified, one being P. bipustulata (F.), and
the other a new species currently being
described in the USA. A nondirectional sticky
trap was developed that proved effective in
flight studies in the forest. Three factors
affecting the rate of allyl isothiocyanate
release from attractant traps were identified

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

289

and measured, making possible reduction of
variation in release rates between traps.

In small-plot trials during 1978 and 1979,
where rape seedlings were under flea beetle
attack from emergence onward, yields of the
rapeseed cultivars Tower, Torch, and Candle
were consistently higher in stands grown from
seed planted with carbofuran granules (in-
furrow treatment) than those in stands grown
from seed treated with lindane powder seed
dressings. Though the carbofuran in-furrow
treatments cost more per unit of planted crop
than the lindane seed treatments, the value of
the yield increase in each case markedly
exceeded the difference in cost. The lindane
powder seed treatments did increase yields
significantly over no protection at all, and
gave better protection when the powder was
applied to seed first coated with vegetable oil
than when applied to dry seed. Increased yield
with both insecticides reflected, in general,
increased numbers and growth of surviving
seedlings and, in some cases, earlier bloom.
The treatments did not affect, however, the
weights of individual harvested seeds or their
oil content.

Analysis of seedlings from lindane-treated
seed sown in the 1978 and 1979 trials showed
that more lindane is present in seedlings
grown from seed treated with oil prior to
application of lindane powder than in seed-
lings grown from dry-treated seed. Methods
of determining carbofuran levels in rape
seedlings have been developed and analysis
for this insecticide in the 1978 and 1979
samples is in progress.

Bertha armyworm. Larval surveys showed
that bertha armyworm populations in Sas-
katchewan were above economic levels for the
first time since the early 1970s, with signifi-
cant infestations being found in a few rape
fields in northeastern and central Saskatche-
wan. It appeared that the pheromone traps for
monitoring bertha moths gave a clearer
indication of this impending increase in
populations than did the light trap monitoring
network. There is a distinct possibility that
serious outbreaks of this pest may occur in
1980 or 1981.

Sunflower moth. The dates of arrival of
sunflower moths in Saskatchewan were moni-
tored with pheromone traps baited with virgin
female moths or with a synthetic pheromone.
Five weather systems were found to have been
responsible for bringing the adult moths into
Saskatchewan from the United States. Two of

the five moth arrival dates had been predicted
from weather forecast data by Dr. J. D. Bauer
of the Atmospheric Environmental Service in
Saskatoon. As most of the adult moths arrived
several weeks before sunflower blooming, the
moths did not lay their eggs on the cultivated
sunflower crop, and no economic larval infes-
tations were recorded.

Grasshoppers

Biological control. A study of the effec-
tiveness of a microsporidian, Nosema locustae
Canning, as a control agent against grasshop-
pers in Saskatchewan revealed that 50% of
the migratory, Packard, and clearwinged
grasshoppers were infected between 4 and 5
wk after application of the pathogen. Max-
imums of 95-100% infection were evident
between 9 and 12 wk after application.
Among those grasshoppers that did not die of
natural causes, the population of the migra-
tory grasshopper was reduced about 20% by
the 4th wk after inoculation, about 50% by
the 9th wk, and a maximum of about 60% by
the 12th wk. Although there was a relation-
ship between percentage infection and popula-
tion reduction in all three species, similar
percentage infection resulted in different
percentage reduction in the different species.
The populations of the migratory and Packard
grasshoppers experienced significantly greater
reduction due to the pathogen than did the
population of the clearwinged grasshopper.
Also, egg production in the migratory and
Packard grasshoppers in treated plots was
significantly lower than in untreated plots.
Analysis of data also showed that the patho-
gen can survive the winter and infect next
year's populations. Sampling in 1979 of 1978
TV. locustae applications showed that about
60% of the migratory, 80% of the Packard,
and 35% of the clearwinged grasshopper
populations were infected.

Effectiveness as a control measure of bran
bait treated with ultralow dosages of insecti-
cides. Field application to spring wheat of
treated wheat bran at 1.68-2.24 kg/ha,
containing 32-42 g a.i. of dimethoate or 2.5-
3.3 g a.i of Belmark (Shell), reduced the
population of third and fourth instar grass-
hoppers by 40-50% within 24 h. The reduc-
tion reached a maximum within 5 days of
application. Doubling the amount of bran
applied per hectare without changing the
amount of dimethoate applied per hectare did
not significantly increase effectiveness as

290

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

evidenced by the mortality of fourth and fifth
instar grasshoppers.

Application of treated bran at 8.9 kg/ha,
containing 137 g a.i. of dimethoate, on adult
grasshoppers infesting alfalfa seed fields
reduced the population by 70% within 24 h
and 90% within 5 days. By comparison, the
currently recommended dosage of active
ingredient of liquid dimethoate formulation
for grasshopper control in alfalfa is approx-
imately 210-420 g/ha. Thus the use of
insecticide-treated bran bait for grasshopper
control has potential advantages in jointly
reducing the amount of insecticide used and
the hazard to the environment.

Wireworms

A trap for larvae. A trap has been devel-
oped that will attract and retain wireworm
larvae. This subterranean trap makes use of
the attractiveness to larvae of C02 given off
by germinating seeds, and is designed so that
larvae in the soil encounter and move through
soil between two plexiglass disks held a few
centimetres apart, and then enter a bait
chamber from which they are unable to
escape. Germinating sunflower or wheat seeds
in the soil-filled bait chamber are used as bait.
In use, the trap is buried about 7 cm below
the soil surface and checked for catches at 2
wk intervals. This trap has proved useful for
survey and detection of wireworm larvae and
investigation of seasonal activity and feeding
behavior. Traps of this design have been
successful in capturing larvae of four wire-
worm species, the prairie grain wireworm, the
sugarbeet wireworm, Hypolithus bicolor
Eschscholtz, and Aeolus mellillus (Say),
from cultivated and noncultivated areas. The
traps were generally much more effective than
baits in trapping wireworms, and more effec-
tive for the prairie grain wireworm than for
H. bicolor. An unbaited trap captured very
few larvae, showing that larvae enter the trap
in response to the attractant rather than to
physical stimuli.

Forage crop insects

Integrated control. For the second consecu-
tive year euphorine parasites of European
species of plant bugs of the genus Lygus were
received at Saskatoon from the Swiss labora-
tory of the Commonwealth Institute of Bio-
logical Control via Research Program Ser-
vice. These parasites were released into alfalfa

seed fields at Rolling Hills in the short-grass
prairie of southern Alberta, and at Shellbrook
in the north-central agricultural parkland of
Saskatchewan. Prior to the releases, the
incidence of indigenous euphorine parasitism
was found to be 15% in the Lygus population
and 0% in the alfalfa plant bug population at
Rolling Hills, and 19% and 24% at Shell-
brook. The 24% incidence of euphorine para-
sitism in the alfalfa plant bug population at
Shellbrook is noteworthy as the highest
(normally about 3%) ever recorded for this
host in Western Canada.

At the Moose Jaw site where introduced
parasites were released in 1978, 29% of the
Lygus nymphal population was found to be
parasitized in 1979. This compares to a
prerelease incidence of 33%. At present the
identity of the parasites in the 1979 Lygus
population is not known. Part of a sample of
parasite cocoons obtained from the 1978
release sites at Moose Jaw and Saskatoon
yielded no adult parasites when subjected to
continuous rearing conditions. The remainder
of the sample is receiving treatments condu-
cive to termination of a probable pupal
diapause.

Black flies

Environmental effects of injecting me-
thoxychlor black-fly larvicide into large
rivers. Since 1968 methoxychlor black-fly
larvicide (24% EC) has been injected, gener-
ally at the rate of 0.3 ppm sustained for 15
min, into either one or both branches of the
Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan, on one
or more occasions every year.

Control of Simulium arcticum Mall., a
multivoltine species with one major and one or
more minor cycles per summer, generally
could be achieved with one or two springtime
injections. About 1976, S. luggeri N. & M.
became the dominant species. This also is
multivoltine but capable of repeated major
cycles each summer; it is not controllable with
springtime injections alone. Thus the larvicide
test program has been steadily intensified
since 1976. Only in 1979 was it intensive
enough, with one to five injections in each of
eight sites, to prevent massive, summer-long
outbreaks. Outbreaks in 1976 to 1978 inclu-
sive caused considerable financial losses to
livestock owners and extreme discomfort to
people in rural and urban areas 10 000 to

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

291

30 000 km: in size in east-central Saskatche-
wan.

Despite the increasingly intensive larvicid-
ing program, sports fish and minnows have
remained abundant and populations of non-
target invertebrates have increased rather
than decreased. Numbers of Ephemeroptera
and Plecoptera attaching weekly to artificial
substrates in the North Saskatchewan River
near Cecil were more than 15 times larger in
1979 than in 1970; Trichoptera were about six
times more abundant and Chironomidae 90
times more abundant.

In the South Saskatchewan River near
Birch Hills during the past 3 yr Ephemerop-
tera and Trichoptera more than doubled in
numbers; Plecoptera and Chironomidae re-
mained unchanged. In the main Saskatche-
wan River near Gronlid during the past 3 yr
all major taxa increased by factors of two to
over four times.

Surber-net collections from the beds of both
rivers near their confluence in August 1977,
1978, and 1979 similarly showed increases in
total populations of all taxa combined, from
22 330 in 1977 to 61 536 in 1979, and in
numbers of taxa from 22 to 32.

Mosquitoes

Arboviruses. In Saskatchewan, mosquito
populations were below the long-term average
in 1977, but the number of western equine
encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus isolations
from mosquitoes was the highest in a number
of years. Forty-seven suspect cases of the
disease were recorded from horses, but none
from humans. Evidently the population of the
principal vector, the mosquito Culex tarsalis
(Coq.), was too low to support a human
epidemic. In 1978, the opposite situation
occurred. The C. tarsalis population was the
highest recorded in 15 yr, and large enough to
support a human epidemic, but for some
reason the circulation level of the virus in
nature was too low, and no suspect human or
horse cases were recorded. In 1979, mosquito
populations, including C. tarsalis, were below
long-term means, probably because of a late
spring, dry summer, and mid-August frosts. A
moderate level of arbovirus circulation in
mosquitoes was indicated in 1979 by 12 virus

isolations, two of which were tentatively
identified as WEE virus.

Two recent findings will be of help in
determining the role of mosquitoes in winter
survival of WEE virus. The first is the
discovery of a number of sites where certain
mosquitoes overwinter; the second is that
infected females of Culiseta inornata (Will.)
can pass a virus called Cache Valley virus to
their progeny, and a continuous virus cycle
can thus occur in mosquitoes without in-
volvement of any vertebrate hosts.

Insect nutrition

Protein evaluation. Although larvae of the
yellow mealworm have been shown to require
the same 10 essential amino acids as higher
organisms, interpretation of protein quality
studies has been impaired by lack of
knowledge concerning their quantitative
amino acid requirements. A preliminary study
was completed to determine the growth
response of larvae of the yellow mealworm to
graded levels of essential and semiessential
amino acids. Each of 14 amino acids was
tested individually at levels of 0, 10, 20, 50,
100, and 200% of the amount found in larval
tissues, while the concentration of other
amino acids remained constant. Maximum
fresh-weight gains and dry weights were
obtained with larvae fed 100% of the amount
in larval tissues of all essential amino acids,
except phenylalanine, threonine, and trypto-
phan. Maximum growth was achieved by
larvae fed diets containing 50% of the phenyl-
alanine level found in larval tissues; however,
the larvae apparently required more than
twice the concentration of threonine and
tryptophan occurring in larval tissues.

Pesticide chemistry

Residues of endosulfan on sunflowers. The
sunflower cultivars Corona and Commander
were sprayed with endosulfan to control
sunflower head moth 6 wk prior to harvest.
Using a new method developed at Saskatoon,
the mature seeds were chemically analyzed
for endosulfan residues. Seed of both cultivars
was found to contain very low levels of 0.01
ppm each of Oi- and ^8-endosulfan and
endosulfan sulfate.

292

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Arsvoll, K.; Smith, J. D. 1978. Typhula ishikarien-
sis and its varieties, var. idahoensis comb. nov.
and var. canadensis var. nov. Can. J. Bot.
56:348-364.

Chinn, S. H. F. 1978. Influence of seed treatment
with imazilil on common root rot and the size
of the subcrown internode of wheat. Phytopa-
thology 68: 1 662- 1 666.

Doane, J. F.; Dondale, C. D. 1979. Seasonal
captures of spiders (Araneae) in a wheat field
and its grassy borders in central Saskatche-
wan. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:439-445.

Dueck, J.; Stone, J. R. 1979. Evaluation of fun-
gicides for control of Albugo Candida in turnip
rape. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:423-427.

Ewen, A. B.; Mukerji, M. K. 1979. Susceptibility of
five species of Saskatchewan grasshoppers to
field applications of Nosema locustae (Micro-
sporida). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:973-974.

Hayles, L. B.; Weegar, H. H.; Iversen, J. O.;
McLintock, J. 1979. Overwintering sites of
adult mosquitoes in Saskatchewan. Mosq.
News 39:1 17-120.

Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P.; Fay, J. P.; Cheng,
K.-J. 1979. Digestion of bloat-causing and
bloat-safe legumes. Ann. Rech. Vet. 10:332-
334.

Iversen, J. O.; Wagner, R. J.; Leung, M. K.;
Hayles, L. B.; McLintock, J. 1979. Cache
Valley virus: Isolations from mosquitoes in
Saskatchewan, 1972-1974. Can. J. Microbiol.
25:760-764.

John, A. M.; Davis, G. R. F.; Sosulski, F. W. 1978.
Protein nutrition of Tenebrio molitor L. XIX.
Growth response to levels of dietary protein
and of an amino acid mixture. Arch. Int.
Physiol. Biochem. 86:761-770.

Kernan, J. A.; Crowle, W. L.; Spurr, D. T.;
Coxworth, E. C. 1979. Straw quality of cereal
cultivars before and after treatment with
anhydrous ammonia. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:511-517.

Kirkland, K. J.; Keys, C. H. 1979. The long-term
effect of picloram and its residue on grain
production and weed control. Weed Sci.
27(5):493-497.

Knowles, R. P. 1979. Comparison of cultivar
hybrids and blends with pure cultivars in
crested wheatgrass. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1019-
1023.

Lee, Y. W.; Pepper, J. M. 1978. Lignin and related
compounds. VII. The isolation of a trimeric
lignin compound by the hydrogenolysis of
spruce wood. Tetrahedron Lett. 51:5061-5062.

Lees, G. L.; Lahue, R.; Thompson, J. E. 1978.
Changes in the acetylcholine titre of senescing
cotyledons. J. Exp. Bot. 29:1 1 17-1 124.

McGee, D. C; Pétrie, G. A. 1979. Seasonal
patterns of ascospore discharge by Leptos-
phaeria maculans in relation to blackleg of
oilseed rape. Phytopathology 69:586-589.

Pétrie, G. A. 1979. Prevalence of a highly virulent
strain of Leptosphaeria maculans (blackleg) in
seed samples of rape and turnip rape produced
in Western Canada in 1976 and 1977. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:899-901 (Note).

Salam, M. A.; Downey, R. K. 1978. Inheritance of
the morphological and quality characteristics
in the progeny of interspecific cross between
Brassica napus and B. campestris. Bangladesh
J. Sci. Ind. Res. 13(l-4):23-28.

Salam, M. A.; Downey, R. K. 1978. Morphologic
variation in relation to chromosome numbers
and its utilization in a breeding programme of
rapeseed interspecific crosses. Bangladesh J.
Sci. Ind. Res. 1 3( 1-4): 1 58- 1 63.

Salam, M. A.; Downey, R. K. 1978. Results of
interspecific crosses between Brassica napus L.
and B. campestris L. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind.
Res. 13(l-4):18-22.

Salam, M. A.; Downey, R. K. 1978. Selection to
remove toxic compounds (glucosinolates) in
the seed meal of the progeny following the
cross between Brassica campestris (Echo) X
B. napus (Bronowski). Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind.
Res. 13(l-4):55-60.

Smith, J. D.; Davidson, J. G. N. 1979. Acremonium
boréale n. sp., a sclerotial, low-temperature-
tolerant, snow mold antagonist. Can. J. Bot.
57:2122-2139.

Steck, W.; Underhill, E. W.; Chisholm, M. D.;
Peters, C. C; Philip, H. G.; Arthur, A. P.
1979. Sex pheromone traps in population
monitoring of adults of the bertha armyworm,
Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctui-
dae). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:91-95.

Stringam, G. R. 1979. Regeneration in leaf-callus
cultures of haploid rapeseed (Brassica napus
L.). Z. Pflanzenphysiol. Bd. 92:459-462.

Tinline, R. D.; Ledingham, R. J. 1979. Yield losses
in wheat and barley cultivars from common
root rot in field tests. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:313-
320.

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

293

Underbill, E. W.; Arthur, A. P.; Chisholm, M. D.;
Stock, W. F. 1979. Sex pheromone components
of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electel-
lum: Z-9, E-12-tetradecadienol and Z-9-te-
tradecenol. Environ. Entomol. 8:740-743.

Vera, C. L.; Woods, D. L.; Downey, R. K. 1979.
Inheritance of seed coat color in Brassica
juncea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:635-637.

Woods, D. L.: Hovin, A. W.; Marten, G. C. 1979.
Seasonal variation of hordenine and gramine
concentrations and their heritability in reed
canarygrass. Crop Sci. 19:853-857.

Miscellaneous

Arthur, A. P.; Campbell, S. J. 1979. Pests of
sunflower heads. Can. Agric. 24(2):23-25.

Arthur, A. P.; Campbell, S. J. 1979. Insect pests of
maturing sunflower heads and parasites of the
sunflower moth in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Sunflower Newsl. 3( 1 ): 1 5- 1 8.

Burgess, L. 1979. A flea beetle that feeds on the
common plantain. Blue Jay 37(2):86-88.

Burgess, L. 1979. Insect pests on Saskatchewan
rapeseed crops in 1979. Rapeseed Ramblings
1(14):10.

Burrage, R. H.; Westcott, N. D. 1978. Prevention
of flea beetle damage to rape using lindane
powder seed treatment with and without oil
sticker and Furadan granules mixed with the
seed. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can. Comm. Pestic.
Use in Agric. pp. 253-254.

Cheng, K.-J.; Hanna, M. R.; Howarth, R. E.; Fay,
J. P.; Costerton, J. W. 1979. An in vitro
microbial digestion model that may assess the
tendency of forage legumes to cause bloat.
Proc. Am. Soc. Microbiol., Los Angeles 79:147
(Abstract).

Chinn, S. H. F.; Verma, P. R. 1978. Effect of seed
treatment with fungicides on common root rot
and yield of wheat. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can.
Comm. Pestic. Use in Agric. pp. 526-527.

Crowle, W. L. 1979. Forage and seed yields of
Neepawa wheat following a variety of crops
and combinations. Canadex 1 12.20.

Downey, R. K. 1978. Breeding for quality. Proc.
5th Int. Rapeseed Conf., Malmo, Sweden, pp.
106-112.

Duczek, L. J.; Buchan, J. A. 1978. The effect of
captan seed treatment on emergence, Rhi-
zobium nodulation and yield of lentils. Pestic.
Res. Rep., Can. Comm. Pestic. Use in Agric.
pp. 442-443.

Dueck, J. 1979. Selecting for resistance to Sclero-
tica in sunflower. Can. Agric. 24(4):1 1-13.

Dueck, J.; Morrall, R. A. A. 1978. Control of
Sclerotinia stem rot in rape by aerial applica-
tion of fungicide. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can.
Comm. Pestic. Use in Agric. p. 464.

Dueck, J.; Morrall, R. A. A. 1978. Evaluation of
fungicides for the control of Sclerotinia stem
rot in rape. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can. Comm.
Pestic. Use in Agric. p. 465.

Dueck, J.; Morrall, R. A. A.; Klassen, A. J. 1979.
Heat inactivation of sclerotia of Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum. Phytopathology 69:915
(Abstract).

Ewen, A. B.; Mukerji, M. K. 1979. Effect of field
applications of Nosema locustae (Microspor-
ida) for control of grasshoppers in Saskatche-
wan. Proc. 2nd Triennial Meet. Pan Am.
Acridol. Soc, Bozeman, Montana, pp. 3-4.

Fredeen, F. J. H. 1979. Black fly ecology and
control. Canadex 605.

Fredeen, F. J. H. 1979. Blackfly species adapt to
change. Can. Agric. 24( 1): 1 5-1 8.

Fredeen, F. J. H. 1979. Effects of the use of
methoxychlor in a large river as an annual
black fly management technique throughout 12
years. Plains Aquatic Res. Conf., Regina, 28-
29 Aug. (Abstract).

Fredeen, F. J. H. 1978. Medical and veterinary
insects. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can. Comm. Pestic.
Use in Agric. pp. 299-380.

Fredeen, F. J. H. 1979. Recent changes in black fly
(Simuliidae) problems in western Canada.
XIV. Pacific Sci. Congr., Khabarovsk, USSR,
pp. 120-121.

Goplen, B. P. 1979. Sweetclover production and
agronomy. Proc. 1st West. Can. Vet. Conf. pp.
414-417.

Goplen, B. P. 1979. Winter hardiness problems
with alfalfa. Proc. Work Planning Meet. Al-
falfa Winter Hardiness, Lethbridge, Alta. p. 6.

Goplen, B. P.; Howarth, R. E.; Mayak, W. 1979.
The incidence of bloat in cattle fed high- and
low-saponin alfalfa. Agron. Abstr. Div. C-6.
pp. 128-129.

Goplen, B. P.; Smith, J. D. 1979. Winter hardiness
alfalfa problems in central and northern Sas-
katchewan. Proc. Work Planning Meet. Al-
falfa Winter Hardiness, p. 1 1.

Howarth, R. E. 1979. Bloat control in grass-alfalfa
pastures. Canadex 130.10.

Howarth, R. E. 1979. Bloat in cattle. Proc. 1st
West. Can. Vet. Conf. pp. 418-425.

Howarth, R. E.; Chaplin, R. K. 1979. The influence
of dehydrating and pelleting of alfalfa on
ruminant bloat. Proc. 2nd Int. Green Crop
Drying Congr., Saskatoon, Sask. pp. 300-307.

294

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P.; Lees, G. L. 1979.
Cell walls and pasture bloat. Can. Agric.
24(3):6-9.

Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P.; Brandt, S. A.;
Cheng, K.-J.; Fay, J. P. 1979. Assessing the
bloat potential of forage legumes by initial
rates of leaf digestion. Agron. Abstr. p. 129.

Kernan, J. A.; Coxworth, E. C; Spurr, D. T. 1979.
The feeding value for ruminant animals and
the response to ammonia treatment of some
specialty crop residues and forages. Pages 11-
35 in A survey of the feed value of various
specialty crop residues and forages before and
after chemical processing. SRC Rep. 79-17.

Kirkland, K. J. 1979. Registered control practices
on cow-cockle, corn spurry and night-flowering
catchfly. Canadex 641.

Klassen, A. J. 1979. Canola varietal update. Rape-
seed Ramblings 2(2): 1, 12.

Klassen, A. J. 1979. New rapeseed varieties for
1979. Rapeseed Ramblings 1(3):4.

Klassen, A. J.; Downey, R. K. 1979. Rapeseed
today. Can. Agric. 24(l):3-4.

Knowles, R. P. 1979. Long-term storage of grass
seeds. Forage Notes 24(l):42-43.

Lees, G. L.; Howarth, R. E. 1979. Isolation of
mesophyll cells from leaves of two legume
species. Proc. West. Reg. Meet. Can. Soc.
Plant Physiol., Saskatoon, Sask. p. 19.

Lees, G. L.; Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P. 1979.
The cell wall and legume pasture bloat. Proc.
Can. Soc. Plant Physiol. 19:17.

McGregor, D. I. 1979. Free thiocyanate ion, a
hydrolysis product of glucosinolates from rape
and mustard seed meal. Proc. 5th Int. Rape-
seed Conf., Malmo, Sweden, pp. 64-67.

Mukerji, M. K. 1979. Development of a grasshop-
per management system. Proc. Workshop Sys-
tems Analysis & Mathematical Modelling,
Eng. Stat. Res. Inst., Ottawa. Rep. 1-109:44-
51.

Mukerji, M.; Gilkinson, G. L. 1979. Grasshopper
outbreak forecast for the prairie provinces.
Canadex 620.

Mukerji, M. K.; Olfert, O. O. 1979. Grasshopper
management. Canadex 620.

Olfert, O. O. 1979. Grasshopper damage to cereals.
Proc. 7th Meet. Agric. Working Group, Can.
Advisory Comm. Remote Sensing, Houston,
Texas, pp. 18-19.

Pétrie, G. A. 1979. Blackleg of rape. Can. Agric.
24(l):22-25.

Pétrie, G. A. 1979. Blackleg of rape. Canadex
149.630.

Piening, L. J.; Duczek, L. 1978. The effect of seed
treatment on common root rot and smuts of
barley. Pestic. Res. Rep., Can. Comm. Pestic.
Use in Agric. pp. 479-480.

Raina, S. K.; Ewen, A. B. 1979. Morphology of
primary cell lines of the grasshopper fat body
(Melanoplus sanguinipes) and its infection by
the microsporidian Nosema locustae. Proc.
2nd Triennial Meet. Pan Am. Acridol. Soc.,
Bozeman, Montana, pp. 5-6.

Raina, S. K.; Ewen, A. B. 1979. In vitro infection of
fat body cells of the grasshopper Melanoplus
sanguinipes (Fab.) by the microsporidian
Nosema locustae Canning. Proc. 5th Int. Conf.
Invertebrate Tissue Culture, Riji Kaltbad,
Switzerland, p. 51 (Abstract).

Smith, J. D. 1978. Fairy ring biology and control.
Canadex 273.630.

Smith, J. D. 1979. "Dormie" a new, snow mold-
resistant Kentucky bluegrass for lawn turf in
the Prairies. Landscape Alberta 2(4): 1, 8.

Smith, J. D. 1978. Grass disease problems in
western Canada. Symp. Grass Diseases, Land-
skrona, Sweden, 12-13 Sept. Nord. Jord-
bruksfors. 60:45-47.

Smith, J. D. 1979. Meadow voles, turf damage and
turf fungicides in Saskatchewan. The Green-
master 15(2):8-9.

Tinline, R. D. 1978. Fungal diseases of rainfed
wheat in Zambia 1978. Annu. Res. Rep. 1977—
78, Zambia-Canada Wheat Development
Proj.pp. 188-204.

Tinline, R. D. 1978. Helminthosporium diseases of
cereals. In Wheat Disease Workshop Rep.
Zambia, Zambia-Canada Wheat Develop-
ment Proj. pp. 27-33.

Ukrainetz, H. 1979. Glucosinolate content of rape-
seed. Canadex 149.500.

Ukrainetz, H. 1979. Sulphur deficiencies. Proc.
Soils & Crops Workshop, Ext. Div., Univ.
Sask., Saskatoon, pp. 18-33.

Verma, P. R.; Pétrie, G. A. 1979. Effect of fun-
gicides on germination of Albugo Candida
oospores in vitro and on the foliar phase of the
white rust disease. Can. Plant Dis. Surv.
59(3):53-59.

RESEARCH STATION, SASKATOON, SASK.

295

Research Station
Swift Current, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

W. L. Pelton, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
A. W. Strachan

Director
Administrative Officer

Scientific Support

K. E. Wilton,1 B.A., M.L.S.
P. I. Myhr, BSA.

Librarian

Research information

Cereal Production and Utilization

T. F. Townley-Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. R. Cameron, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. M. Clarke, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. M. DePauw, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. E. Dunkelgod, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

D. G. Green, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

E. A. Hurd,2 B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
D. S. McBean,3 B.S.A., M.Sc.

T. N. McCaig, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. G. McLeod, B.Sc. (Agr), M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. W. L. Read, B.S.A., M.Sc.

R. E. Salmon, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Durum breeding
Production systems
Cereal harvesting
Wheat breeding
Turkey nutrition
Hardiness physiology
Spring wheat breeding
Rye and solid-stemmed wheat
breeding
Quality physiology
Rye breeding
Fertility management
Turkey nutrition

Forage Production and Utilization

T. Lawrence, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

R. B. Irvine, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Y. W. Jame, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. R. Kilcher, B.S.A.

J. E. Knipfel, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. J. Leyshon, B.Sc, M.Sc.

J. D. McElgunn, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Grass breeding
Legume breeding
Forage irrigation
Range management
Ruminant nutrition
Forage management
Production physiology

RESEARCH STATION, SWIFT CURRENT, SASK.

297

Soils and Environment

C. A. Campbell,4 B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
V. O. Biederbeck, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
H. R. Davidson, B.Sc, Ph.D.
W. Nicholaichuk,5 B.E., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Soil chemistry
Soil microbiologist
Agrometeorology
Hydrology

Analytical Services and Design

F. G. Warder, B.S.A., M.Sc.

F. B. Dyck, BE., M.Sc.

J. Looman, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
N. B. McLaughlin,6 B.Sc, M.Sc.
H. Moen

G. E. Winkleman, B.S.A.

Head of Section; Soil chemistry

Equipment design

Range ecology

Equipment design

Computer programmer

Soil chemistry

Departures

R. DeJong, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Transferred to Ottawa
H. C. Korven, B.E., M.Sc.
Transferred to Western Region
Headquarters, Saskatoon, Sask.

Agrometeorology

Irrigation management and
contract research

VISITING SCIENTIST

K. Sathyanarayanaiah, B.S.Ag., M.Sc.Ag., Ph.D. Wheat breeder — Hyderabad

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

:Seconded to CI DA as of I January 1979.

'Seconded to CI DA to wheat project, Zambia.

4Postdoctorate transfer of work for 1 yr, Australia, July 1978 - July 1979.

^Seconded to CI DA, Dryland Project, India, 2 yr, August 1977 - August 1979.

"Education leave, 22 May 1978.

298

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The diversified program of research at the Swift Current Research Station emphasizes the
improvement of cultivars of cereal and forage crops and the development of technology to
improve production and utilization practices. This is accomplished through a multidisciplinary
approach to research in plant breeding, plant physiology, agronomy, soil and water
management, salinity control, nutrition, agrometeorology, and agricultural engineering.

During 1979, several potential new cultivars of cereal and forage crops progressed through
various levels of testing. Optimum rates of fertilization were established for cereal and forage
crops, and the most productive grazing patterns and row spacings were identified for hay and
pasture crops. Rapeseed meal proved to be a cost-effective ingredient for turkey diets that
feature maximum rates of gain at least cost to producers. Data were assembled to develop
comprehensive models of crop production that utilize meteorological information together with
soil and crop growth parameters. Factors that cause poor seed set in cereals were identified.

These and other research accomplishments are described briefly in this report. More
detailed information may be obtained from the publications listed at the end of this report,
from P. I. Myhr, or from individual scientists. Requests and correspondence should be
addressed: Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Box 1030, Swift Current,
Sask. S9H 3X2.

W. L. Pelton
Director

CEREAL PRODUCTION AND
UTILIZATION

Carbohydrate patterns in dryland wheat

For a number of years we have been
measuring the levels of nonstructural car-
bohydrates (NSC) found in the leaves, stems,
and heads of wheat plants grown under
dryland field conditions. The NSC consist of
short-chain carbohydrates which are ex-
tracted with ethanol and longer-chained
carbohydrates which are extracted with
water.

The NSC levels found in green leaves
remain relatively low (<10%) throughout the
growing season except for a slight increase
during grain maturation; this increase proba-
bly results from the presence of fewer green
leaves to fulfill the photosynthate demand of
the head. The major carbohydrate present in
the leaf extracts was sucrose. These results
indicate that short-chain sugars do not play a
major role in osmoregulation in wheat leaves.

Wheat stems exhibit a dramatic increase in
NSC during the season and reach a maximum
approximately 2-3 wk postanthesis. The
maximum levels range from 20 to 40% of the
dry weight and are varietal dependent. Gener-
ally, more carbohydrate is extracted in the
water fraction than in the ethanol fraction,

suggesting the presence of longer-chain car-
bohydrates. Gas chromatographic analysis
indicates that these polysaccharides are rich
in fructose units. This stem reserve may
reflect the inability of the developing head
(sink) to accept the high levels of photosyn-
thate being exported from the leaves (source).
The stem NSC decline very late in the growth
cycle, although we have not yet established if
they contribute significantly to grain yield
under dryland conditions.

Drought physiology

Eleven wheat cultivars were evaluated
under field conditions for drought resistance.
Three techniques were used: thermocouple
psychrometry (water content), water satura-
tion deficit (WSD), and autoporometry (dif-
fusion rates). Pelissier and Lakota leaves were
judged to be the most resistant to drought
based on superior leaf-water content, low
WSD, and maintenance of high transpiration
rates late into kernel filling. For the six spring
wheats tested, no differences occurred in
moisture stress (psychrometer). Yecora, Man-
itou, and ACEF-125 had more severe WSD
values than Pitic, Koga, or Celinogradka;
these latter cultivars also maintained higher
late-season transpiration rates due to superior
leaf-water retention.

RESEARCH STATION. SWIFT CURRENT. SASK.

299

Eighteen durum and spring wheats were
grown under dryland and irrigation to evalu-
ate moisture relative to plant temperature and
drought resistance. The leaf temperature of
irrigated plants was 3-7°C lower from head-
ing to maturity. The leaves of plants grown on
dryland gradually increased in temperature
uith maturation until some leaves exceeded
ambient air temperature. This increase in leaf
temperature was inversely proportional to
transpiration rates, suggesting drought resist-
ance also has a temperature component.

Rye breeding and genetics

RT124, a selection from the hybrid Har-
roch/Petkus/Dakold, has been evaluated in
cooperative tests during the past 4 yr. The test
data indicate that it represents an im-
provement over currently licensed cultivars in
a number of characteristics. Winter survival
has been satisfactory and in most cases
RT124 was the best. During the period under
test it yielded 103-108% of the highest-
yielding licensed cultivar each year. The
hectolitre weight of RT124 was equal to
Cougar and Puma and greater than Kodiak
whereas 1000-kernel weight was equal to
Kodiak. Heading and maturity were as early
as Frontier (2-3 days earlier than Kodiak).
Height of RT124 was equal to Puma and
Frontier; however, its resistance to lodging
was greater than that of Frontier, Puma, and
Kodiak (but not equal to Cougar). Support of
the Expert Committee on Grain Breeding for
the licensing of RT124 will be requested in
February 1980.

Fertilizers

The data from fertilizer tests conducted on
farmers fields throughout southwestern Sas-
katchewan since 1967 on stubble and fallow
have been sumarized. The results indicate
that on the average there was little response to
nitrogen for wheat grown on fallow, but a
good response to phosphate. The phosphate
response follows the law of diminishing re-
turns with P at 20-30 kg/ha being the most
profitable. On stubble there was an increase in
grain yield of 8-9 kg/ha for each kilogram of
N applied at N application rates of up to 45
kg/ha, but the increase in yield decreased to
only 2.8 kg/ha for the next 1 5 kg of N applied
per hectare. Soil nutrients at seeding time and
rainfall were the factors that had the greatest
effect on yield response to fertilizer on fallow,

whereas soil moisture at seeding time was the
most important on stubble.

Only with N rates of 45 kg/ha or greater
was there a significant increase in protein
content of the grain. Phosphate reduced the
protein. Few of the variables affected the
protein content of wheat on fallow, whereas
increased rainfall during the growing season
tended to reduce the percent protein on
stubble.

Common wheat

NB320 (Tobari 66/Romany), a utility
wheat line tested for 5 yr in the Non-Bread
Wheat Co-op tests yields 35% more than
Neepawa. NB320 has semidwarf stature, stiff
straw, and matures about 7 days later than
Neepawa. The quality of NB320 has been
classified as being of medium protein content,
medium hardness, and medium gluten
strength. The kernels have a light red color.

NB112 (Ciano Y/Sonora 64 - Klein Ren-
didor/8156), a utility wheat line tested for 4
yr in the Non-Bread Wheat Co-op, yields 10%
more than Neepawa and matures 2 days
earlier. NB112 is an awned semidwarf with
stiff straw and white kernel color. The quality
of NB112 has been classified as high flour
yield, medium-high protein content, and
strong gluten. This line was developed by L.
E. Evans of the University of Manitoba and
R. M. DePauw of the Research Branch,
Agriculture Canada, using CIMMYT mate-
rial.

Breeding for postseedling resistance to stem
rust, either alone or in combination with
seedling resistance, is more complex than
breeding for seedling resistance alone and
requires different methods.

Prediction of field soil water content

Field soil water content could be success-
fully predicted using the Darcy flow water
transport equations when the model parame-
ters controlling flow were modified. A 3 yr
experiment was conducted to monitor the field
water contents. Hydraulic conductivity was
calculated by the Millington-Quirk method,
but direct use of the derived functions did not
give exact fits to the observed field results.
However, when reasonable adjustments
(within field variability) were made to the
conductivity and diffusivity function, the
prediction was improved considerably. The

300

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

methodology of accounting for field variabil-
ity and optimization of model parameters
requires more research.

Variability in nitrate and chloride leaching

In a 3 yr study conducted to examine how
some of the soil and weather factors affected
spatial variability of N03-N and CI levels in
field soils, it was found that uneven applica-
tion of fertilizer accounted for 30-100% of the
observed variation immediately after fertil-
ization. However, as fertilizer granules dis-
solved, this variability decrease; then, differ-
ential rates of leaching of N03-N and CI
appeared to contribute significantly to varia-
bility, increasing the variation from about
40% to over 100%. Field and model results
showed that differential leaching patterns
could be attributed to two main factors:
variability of physical properties that deter-
mine rates of water movement and storage,
and point differences in spatial surface
microrelief.

Measurement of salinity by an
electromagnetic induction probe

A noncontacting soil resistivity probe,
based on electromagnetic induction, was used
to measure soil salinity. Good correlations
were obtained between the apparent bulk soil
conductivity measured by the instrument and
the electrical conductivity measured by the
Wenner four-probe method. The electromag-
netic induction technique provided less-de-
tailed information on salinity changes with
depth than did the other methods, but it was
faster and could provide a continuous record
of salinity changes along a transect.

Effect of dietary nutrient density on female
turkeys

Studies reported from this laboratory have
demonstrated that toms from the heavy-
tonnage commercial strains respond to higher
nutrient-density levels.

An experiment using female poults of six
commercially available strains raised to mar-
ket age tested the effect of the nutrient
density required at weekly intervals
throughout the growing season. Six strains
were used, three of which were high feed-
intake strains and three medium-intake
strains, for a total of 1 200 birds.

The higher feed-intake strains had signifi-
cantly faster growth rates at all nutrient-
density levels than the medium-intake strains.

Two of the three high-intake strains re-
sponded to the increasing calorie:protein ratio
at the higher nutrient-density levels.

The females were fed three constant nutri-
ent-density levels (NDL-1 1 1.6, NDL-2 12.9,
and NDL-3 14.1 kJ/g on metabolizable
energy (ME) basis) and three increasing
nutrient-density levels (NDL-4 from 11.8 to
12.9, NDL-5 from 13.1 to 14.1, and NDL-6
from 14.4 to 15.4 kJ/g on ME basis).

In strains A, B, and C (higher feed intake),
growth rate was significantly faster at all
nutrient-density levels than in strains D, E,
and F (medium feed intake). Strains A and C
responded to the increasing calorie:protein
ratio at the higher nutrient-density levels.

Meat yield data indicated that breast meat
and total skin percentage increased with
chronological age. Strains A and C showed an
increase in the yield of breast meat with an
increase in nutrient density level. The per-
centage of thigh, drumstick, wing, and bone
decreased with age.

The cooking loss data indicated a lower
drip loss from females than from males.
However, the skin fat and the gravy fat
showed a higher percentage of fat in females.
Nutrient-density level does not affect the
percentage of fat in the skin and gravy sample
as much as does chronological age. The
percentage of fat in the breast and thigh meat
tended to increase with chronological age and
nutrient-density level. The percentage of
nitrogen in the thigh tissue was significantly
higher in females than in males. There was a
highly significant increase in the gravy fat
from the drip loss of the medium feed-intake
strains over that of the higher feed-intake
strains. The nutrient quality of the finished
product (turkey meat) increased with the
higher nutrient-density level.

Low glucosinolate rapeseed meal for
turkeys

Liveweights of small white turkeys fed 0,
75, 150, or 225 g/kg of Candle rapeseed meal
(RSM) to 98 days of age were 5.76, 5.70,
5.60, and 5.46 kg. Addition of supplementary
fat to the diets to compensate for the lower
energy of RSM did not influence liveweight
gains. Mortality was not increased by RSM.
True ME values determined on the feedstuffs
used accounted more satisfactorily for ob-
served performance than published ME
values.

RESEARCH STATION. SWIFT CURRENT. SASK.

301

SOILS AND ENVIRONMENT

Effect of nitrogen supply on the seed set of
spring wheat and barley

Applications of N03-N increased seed set
of wheat grown under hot, moist conditions.
An attempt was made to determine whether
this improvement in seed set was due to
improvement in plant nutrition or to N03
poising the soil £h above that at which
phytotoxic ethylene is produced. Two pot
experiments were carried out in a controlled
environment chamber at diurnal temperatures
27/12°C and slightly above optimum mois-
ture. NOj-N or NH4-N with N-Serve (regis-
tered trade name) were applied to Manitou
wheat, supplying N at rates of 45, 90, 135,
and 180 kg/ha in the first experiment, and to
Manitou wheat and Conquest barley, at rates
of 23, 45, 90, 180, and 360 kg/ha in the
second. N-Serve successfully maintained the
nitrogen in the NH4 form throughout the
experiment. In both experiments, the seed set
of the primary and secondary florets of wheat
was directly proportional to the N03-N rate.
Wheat plants fed NH4-N exhibited signifi-
cantly higher seed set than N03-N fed plants
at the low nitrogen rates. Seed set of lateral
florets of barley was unaffected by rate, but
the NH4-N fed plants tended to produce
slightly higher seed set. Ethylene was not
detected in any of the soils. Since NH4-N
corrected the seed set problem even at low
levels of nitrogen, it was concluded that poor
nitrogen nutrition and not the production of
soil ethylene was responsible for poor seed set
of wheat.

Reduction of fecal bacteria when irrigating
with sewage effluent

When sewage effluent was pumped from a
lagoon for spray irrigation the pumping
process reduced the fecal coliforms (FC) by
66% and the fecal streptococci (FS) by 91%.
It is of considerable sanitary significance that
these fecal-indicator bacteria were found to
be much more susceptible to the detrimental
effects of pumping than the bacteria indige-
nous to unpolluted water and soil. Conse-
quently, the bactericidal effects associated
with the pumping of effluent were investigated
in the laboratory by seeding sterilized effluent
with fecal bacteria and repeatedly passing the
liquid through a centrifugal impeller-type
pump at 345 kPa. The pumping effect was
cumulative, 49 and 90% of FC being killed

after two and four passages through the
pump, respectively. FC were more susceptible
than FS to injury by pressure shock. Very
weak chlorination of the effluent increased the
destruction of FC but not of FS during
subsequent pumping. Within the range of
experimental conditions used, the percentage
of FC killed by pumping was not markedly
affected by changes in temperature and pH of
the effluent or by differences in the number
and age of cells added. The results of these
experiments provide a basis for further exploi-
tation of the bactericidal effect of pumping as
a management technique in waste-water
irrigation.

An improved manometer

A manometer that uses two fluids of dif-
ferent specific gravities has been developed.
The manometer is similar to the conventional
manometer except that it has an enlarged
reservoir at the top of the tube. The lighter
fluid floats on the heavier fluid so that the
interface between the two fluids is in the
manometer tube and the free surface of the
lighter fluid is in the reservoir. The manome-
ter is read at the interface. The differential
manometer has a greater sensitivity than the
conventional manometer and is useful for
measuring small weight changes in a hydrau-
lic lysimeter.

Evaporation control on farm-sized reservoirs

Several methods of controlling evaporation
from a free water surface were field tested.
The use of monomolecular films was shown to
achieve an 18% reduction in evaporation.
Although further reduction in evaporation
was achieved by combining this treatment
with windbreaks and floating grids, the cost of
water saved increased. Rafts were found to be
a good alternative to monomolecular films.
The most economical type of raft was made
from lightweight concrete which conserved
water at a cost competitive with monomolecu-
lar films.

Nutrient runoff from fertilized and
unfertilized fields in Western Canada

Nutrient transport in surface runoff from
snow was measured from fertilized and unfer-
tilized cropped and summerfallowed Wood
Mountain loam fields in semiarid southwest
Saskatchewan. The amount of nitrogen lost
from unfertilized fields during spring runoff
exceeded the limits purported to result in

302

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

algal growth; however, the loss was agronomi-
cally insignificant.

It was concluded that since the N and P
concentrations in runoff from unfertilized
fertile agricultural soils exceed Saskatchewan
water quality criteria, these guidelines may be
regarded as unattainable under our present
system of cereal cropping in Western Canada.

Temperature, N fertilization, and moisture
stress on wheat

The effects of temperature, fertilizer N,
and moisture stress on the yield components,
protein content, and moisture use efficiency of
Manitou wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were
determined under simulated irrigation in a 2
x 3 x 5 factorial experiment. Grain yield
was directly related to and mainly influenced
by N. Yield was directly related to the
number of spikes (r = 0.71**), and the
number of seeds per spike (r = 0.65**), and
inversely related to average seed weight (r =
0.41**). Seed weight was also inversely
related to the number of spikes and number of
seeds per spike. At maturity, the number of
spikes was directly and mainly affected by N.
The number of spikelets per spike, seed set of
primary and secondary florets, and seed
weight were inversely related to, and mainly a
function of, temperature. At high tempera-
ture and low N03-N, low moisture stress was
detrimental to several yield components where
these conditions existed during a period
critical to the development of the component.
These poor responses were alleviated by high
moisture stress or high rate of N03-N fertil-
izer or both. Grain protein was mainly
influenced by temperature to which it was
directly related. Protein was increased by N
at day/night temperatures of 22/12°C, but
was unaffected by N at 27/12°C; it was also
increased by high moisture stress applied
between last leaf visible and anthesis. Grain
protein was inversely related to grain yield at
any given level of N. Covariance was used to
isolate the true effect (i.e. corrected for yield
effects) of the treatment variables on protein.
In this experiment, N influenced protein only
via its effect on grain yield. Moisture-use
efficiency for grain production was improved
by all factors that increased grain yield (e.g.
increased N, low temperature, or high mois-
ture stress between tillering and last leaf
visible). Efficiency was deleteriously affected
by moisture stress between last leaf visable
and anthesis.

The effect of fertilizer N and soil moisture
on wheat

The influence of rate of fertilizer N and soil
moisture on N uptake by spring wheat, N
mineralization, /^-values, and N recovery was
determined in small lysimeters on stubble
land by means of 15N-labeled KNOr Net
mineralization was enhanced by frequent
irrigations but depressed by cropping. In
contrast to most growth-chamber results, N
uptake was not linearly but logarithmically
related to rate of application; uptake from
fertilizer was positively related to rate, but
only up to a point, beyond which it leveled off;
uptake from native soil N was generally
negatively related to rate; ,4-values were not
constant but negatively related to rate except
at the highest rates (N at 123-164 kg/ha)
when they were positively related especially
under dry conditions. These differences in
results were credited to the fact that the pot
system does not adequately simulate the field
situation. On dryland an average of 68, 20,
and 12% of the plant N was located in the
grain, straw, and roots, respectively; under
irrigation the corresponding values were 75,
16, and 9%. On dryland the average recovery
of fertilizer N from soil was 34.6%, grain
37.3%, straw 12.2%, roots 2.6%, error 6.0%,
and unaccounted 7%; under irrigation it was
15.4, 58.3, 13.0, 3.5, 6.0, and 4.0%, respec-
tively. On dryland about 28% of the fertilizer
N was left in the soil at rates supplying N at
up to 82 kg/ha, whereas 57% was left at 164
kg/ha; under irrigation the corresponding
values were 15 and 21%, respectively. On
dryland >70% of the residual N was located
in the 0-30 cm soil segment at fertilizer N
rates <82 kg/ha; at higher rates, >50% was
in the 30-60 cm segment. Only with fertilizer
N at 164 kg/ha was there appreciable resid-
ual N in the 30-60 cm segment under
irrigation. There was negligible fertilizer N
below 60 cm in all treatments.

FORAGE PRODUCTION AND
UTILIZATION

Spring and summer pastures

Fall rye (Secale céréale L.) as a spring and
early summer supplemental pasture was com-
pared to the seeded perennial grass pastures
Russian wild ryegrass (Elymus junceus
Fisch.) or Altai wild ryegrass (Elymus angus-
tus L.). Over a 4 yr period the fall rye

RESEARCH STATION, SWIFT CURRENT, SASK.

303

pastures provided 7 wk of grazing each year
from about 10 May to late June. The Russian
wild ryegrass pastures were grazed for 12 wk
from early May to early August, whereas
Altai supported grazing for 15 wk from early
May to late August.

As a consequence of different daily rates of
gain and different stocking rates between the
three crops, the productivity per land unit
varied as follows: fall rye produced an average
of 1 34 kg of seasonal liveweight beef gain per
hectare, Russian wild ryegrass 191 kg/ha, and
Altai wild ryegrass 286 kg/ha.

Typical native grass rangeland in this
vicinity produces from 15 to 20 kg/ha per
season.

Time of irrigating alfalfa

Various start and stop dates in scheduling
irrigation had no effect on winter injury to
alfalfa stands located on well-drained soil over
a 6 yr period.

Irrigating with cold water (5°C) very early
in the spring (1 May) delayed spring growth
sufficiently to result in first-cut yields that
were 13% lower than those where the first
irrigation was delayed for 2 wk.

Ruminant nutrition

Treatment of wheat straw with high-pres-
sure steam increased intake of digestible
energy more than did NH3 treatment, but
both treatments increased nutritive value
substantially over that of untreated straw.
Digestibility of cell-wall constituents of
crested wheatgrass and Russian wild ryegrass
did not markedly change with advancing
maturity, but the proportions of cell-wall
constituents to cellular contents changed
markedly. Decreased digestibilities of energy
were associated with advancing maturity of
crested wheatgrass, Russian wild ryegrass,
and Altai wild ryegrass, and in the case of
crested wheatgrass, so was a pronounced
decrease in voluntary intake. Supplementa-
tion of these species with N and P increased
digestibility of energy on mature forage by up
to 20% and increased voluntary intake by as
much as 30%. Fertilizer application increased
percent N and in vitro organic matter digest-
ibility (OMD) for these species, with the
effect decreasing to zero at maturity. In vitro
rumen gas production studies with Russian
wild ryegrass, Altai wild ryegrass, and crested
wheatgrass showed that most rapid gas pro-
duction was associated with lowered nutritive

value and that supplementation of these
species with N and P may increase nutritive
value through reduction of energy or N losses
or both as gas. Studies on transfer of methio-
nine across the ovine placenta, using cannu-
lated ewe-fetus preparations, were completed,
and kinetic equations describing the transport
processes were developed. Studies were initi-
ated on the transport of vitamin D and its
metabolites in relation to Ca and P in the
cannulated ewe-fetal preparation. Blood urea
nitrogen appeared to be a useful indicator of
dietary protein adequacy in the ruminant,
with metabolic indicators of energy suffi-
ciency less useful.

Seeding rates and row spacings in grasses
and alfalfa

In 1974 Russian wild ryegrass, crested
wheatgrass, and alfalfa were seeded on dry-
land either alone or in alternate grass-alfalfa
rows. Three row spacings (30, 60, 90 cm) and
at six seeding rates of 17, 35, 50, 67, 83, and
100 seeds per metre row were used to deter-
mine the optimum seeding rate at each row
spacing. Greater yields resulted from higher
seeding rates for all crops only in the first
harvest year. By the second harvest year,
seeding rate did not affect the yield of pure
stands of each grass. In the third and subse-
quent harvest years, seeding rate had little or
no effect upon dry matter yield of any of the
crops. Seeding ratés did not interact with row
spacings in any year. Initially, the narrower
row spacings produced the highest yields, but
by the third harvest year the wider spaced
rows were yielding more than the narrower
spaced rows. The row-spacing effect contin-
ued in subsequent harvest years.

Yield aspects of grasses

Twenty grass populations were evaluated
for dry matter yield, N content, P content,
organic matter content, organic matter digest-
ibility, and winterhardiness. Of these popula-
tions, Agropyron intermedium was most
suitable for a hay crop on a well-drained
irrigated soil. Agropyron trichophorum,
Bromus inermis, and Phalaris arundinacea
were lower-yielding alternatives that had a
satisfactory N content and good digestibility.
Elymus angustus shows promise as an irri-
gated hay crop and should be evaluated
further. The usefulness of the following
populations was limited by one or more of
these factors — low yield (Y), low N content

304

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

(TV), low digestibility (D), and lack of winter-
hardiness {W): Dactylis glomerata 'Kay' [Y,
N, D), Dactylis glomerata 'Chinook' (K, TV,
W), Elymus sibiricus (K), Festuca arundina-
cea 'Kenmont' (Y, N, W), Festuca elatior
Trader' (K, TV), Phleum pratense (K, N, /)),
Poa ampla 'Sherman' (TV, D), Poa bulbosa
cv. P4874 (Y, N, D), and Poa pratensis (K, N,
D).

In a study of distribution patterns in
grassland, density determinations were made
in 1 54 stands, using stratified random samples
of quadrats, and distance measurements
obtained with the point centered quarter
method. The results showed that individuals
in the population, regardless of species, were
randomly dispersed if the substrates were
reasonably homogeneous, and disturbances
were absent.

Heterogeneity of the substrate, distur-
bances, and what may be termed successional
development commonly caused deviations
from randomness resulting in more or less
pronounced aggregation. The form of aggre-
gation depended on the mode of vegetative or
sexual reproduction of species.

On homogeneous substrates, species occur-
ring with high densities often were dispersed
in a regular pattern, usually as regularly
dispersed aggregates. The species involved

were mostly bunchgrasses or herbs with
branching caudices. The cause of 'regular
aggregation' appeared to be breaking up of
bunches or caudices into several individuals,
due to aging of the plants.

A genetic study on Altai wild ryegrass

Progenies from a six-genotype diallel cross
in Altai wild ryegrass (Elymus angustus
Trin.) were studied to assess the pattern of
genetic control for F, seed weight and a
number of seedling and adult plant charac-
ters. Variation in F, seed weight was largely
determined by the maternal parent, but some
control by the pollen parent was apparent.
Gene action was additive, but some nonaddi-
tive genetic effects were also present. All of
the seedling characters, days to emerge, rate
of leaf appearance, rate of tiller appearance,
and seedling dry matter yield showed additive
control which is amenable to direct selection.
Diallel analyses indicated that the adult plant
characters, days to inflorescence appearance,
digestible organic matter, total dry matter
yield, and total seed yield were controlled by
strong additive control which is amenable to
direct selection. The seedling characters, rate
of leaf appearance, rate of tiller appearance,
and seedling dry matter yield were interre-
lated, but only rate of tiller appearance was
associated with adult plant yield.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Biederbeck, V. O. 1979. Reduction of fecal indica-
tor bacteria in sewage effluent when pumping
for crop irrigation. J. Environ. Sci. Health B
14(5):475-493 (Pestic, Food Contam., Agric.
Wastes).

Biederbeck, V. O.; Campbell, C. A.; Bowren, K. E.;
Schnitzer, M.; Mclver, R. N. 1980. Effect of
burning cereal straw on soil properties and
grain yields in Saskatchewan. Soil Sci. Soc.
Am. J. 44.

Cameron, D. R. 1978. Variability of soil water
retention curves and predicted hydraulic con-
ductivities on a small plot. Soil Sci. 6:364-37 1 .

Cameron, D. R. 1979. Prediction of field soil water
content. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 43:390-394.

Cameron, D. R.; Kowalenko, C. G.; Campbell, C.
A. 1979. Factors affecting N03-N and CI
leaching variability in a field plot. Soil Sci.
Soc. Am. J. 43:455-460.

Cameron, D. R.; Kowalenko, C. G.; Ivarson, K. C.
1978. Nitrogen and chloride leaching in a
sandy field plot. Soil Sci. 126:174-180.

Campbell, C. A.; Davidson, H. R. 1979. Effects of
temperature, nitrogen fertilization and mois-
ture stress on growth, assimilate distribution
and moisture use by Manitou spring wheat.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:603-626.

Campbell, C. A.; Davidson, H. R. 1979. Effects of
temperature, nitrogen fertilization and mois-
ture stress on yield, yield components, protein
content and moisture use efficiency of Manitou
spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:963-974.

Campbell, C. A.; Paul, E. A. 1978. Effect of
fertilizer N and soil moisture on mineral-
ization, N recovery, ,4-vaIues under spring
wheat grown in small lysimeters. Can. J. Soil
Sci. 58:39-51.

RESEARCH STATION, SWIFT CURRENT, SASK.

305

DeJong, E.; Ballantyne, A. K.; Cameron, D. R.;
Read, D. W. L. 1979. Measurement of appar-
ent electrical conductivity of soils by an elec-
tromagnetic induction probe to aid in salinity
surveys. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 43:810-812.

DeJong, R.; Cameron, D. R. 1979. Computer
simulation model for predicting soil water
content profiles. Soil Sci. 128:41-48.

Heinrichs, D. H.; Lawrence, T.; McElgunn, J. D.
1979. Rangelander alfalfa. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:491-492.

Kilcher, M. R.; Korven, H. C. 1979. Irrigation
scheduling effects on yield and persistence of
alfalfa. Can. Agric. Eng. 21(2).

Kilcher, M. R.; Lawrence, T. 1979. Spring and
summer pastures for southwestern Saskatche-
wan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:339-342.

Klein, K. K.; Salmon, R. E.; Larmond, E. 1979. A
linear programming model for determining the
optimal level of low glucosinolate rapeseed
meal in diets of growing turkeys. Can. J. Agric.
Econ. 27:61-73.

Kowalenko, C. G.; Cameron, D. R. 1978. Nitrogen
transformations in soil-plant systems in three
years of field experiments using tracer and
nontracer methods on an ammonium-fixing
soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 58:195-208.

Kowalenko, C. G.; Ivarson, C. K.; Cameron, D. R.
1978. The effect of moisture content, tempera-
ture and nitrogen fertilization on carbon diox-
ide evolution from field soils. Soil Biol. Bio-
chem. 10:417-423.

Lawrence, T. 1978. An evaluation of thirty grass
populations as forage crops for southwestern
Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 58:107-1 15.

Lawrence, T. 1979. Genetic control of variation in a
selected population of Altai wild ryegrass
(Elymus angustus). Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:7-13.

Lawrence, T. 1979. Swift Russian wild ryegrass.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:515-518.

Lawrence, T. 1979. Registration of Prairieland
Altai wild ryegrass. Crop Sci. 19:296.

Lawrence, T.; Warder, F. G. 1979. Evaluation of
twenty grass populations as irrigated hay crops
for southwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:691-700.

Leyshon, A. J.; Sheard, R. W. 1978. Growth and
yield of barley in flooded soil: ethylene genera-
tion and £h relationships. Can. J. Soil Sci.

58:347-355.

Looman, J. 1979. The vegetation of the Canadian
Prairie Provinces. I. An overview. Phytocoeno-
logia 5:347-366.

Looman, J. 1979. On pattern in vegetation. Phyto-
coenologia 6:37-48.

McLaughlin, N. B.; Townley-Smith, T. F.; Dyck, F.
B. 1979. A micro plot seeder. Agron. J. 71:145-
148.

Nicholaichuk, W. 1978. Evaporation control on
farm-size reservoirs. J. Soil Water Conserv.
33:185-188.

Nicholaichuk, W. 1978. Seepage control in exca-
vated earthen reservoirs. Can. Agric. Eng.
20:97-101.

Pickens, J. F.; Gillham, R. W.; Cameron, D. R.
1979. Finite-element analysis of the transport
of water and solutes in tile-drained soils. J.
Hydrol. 40:243-264.

Read, D. W. L.; Cameron, D. R. 1979. Changes in
the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the
soil between fall and spring sampling. Can. J.
Soil Sci. 59:271-276.

Salmon, R. E. 1979. Rapeseed meal in turkey
starter diets. Poult. Sci. 58:410-415.

Salmon, R. E. 1979. Effect of food and water
deprivation on liveweight shrinkage, eviscer-
ated carcass yield and water absorption during
chilling of turkey carcasses. Br. Poult. Sci.
20:303-306.

Salmon, R. E. 1979. Slaughter losses and carcass
composition of the medium white turkey. Br.
Poult. Sci. 20:297-302.

Salmon, R. E.; Klein, K. K.; Larmond, E. 1979.
Low glucosinolate rapeseed meal in turkey
broiler diets of varying nutrient density. Poult.
Sci. 58:1514-1523.

Miscellaneous

Biederbeck, V. O. 1978. Soil organic sulfur and
fertility. Chapter 6, Pages 273-310 in M.
Schnitzer and S. U. Khan, eds. Developments
in soil science, Vol. 8, Soil organic matter.
Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam.

Biederbeck, V. O. 1978. Biological nitrogen fixation
in forage systems. Pages 164-172 in Pasture
systems for the cow-calf. Research Station,
Swift Current, Sask.

Biederbeck, V. O.; Bole, J. B. 1979. Dispersal of
sewage microorganisms during spray irrigation
and response of soil microflora to effluent
application. Pages 1-35 in Effluent irrigation
under Prairie conditions. Technology Transfer
Seminar, Regina, Sask., 24-25 Jan. 1979. EPS,
Environment Canada.

Bole, J. B.; Biederbeck, V. O. 1979. Soil and plant
response to wastewater irrigation nutrient
uptake and plant productivity. Pages 1-21 in
Effluent irrigation under Prairie conditions.
Technology Transfer Seminar, Regina, Sask.,
24-25 Jan. 1979. EPS, Environment Canada.

306

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Cameron, D. R. 1978. Soil water and salt
movement in the dryland farming area of
southwest Saskatchewan. Pages 22-57 in Dry-
land wheat production in southwestern Sas-
katchewan: Seminar series. Research Station,
Swift Current, Sask. (incomplete citation in
1977).

Cameron, D. R. 1979. Reclaiming salty soils. Pages
26-38 in Fertile soil without chemicals. Confer-
ence held at St. Peter's Abbey, Muenster,
Sask., 2-3 Apr. 1979.

Cameron, D. R. 1979. Soil moisture, nutrient and
crop yield simulation. Pages 54-56 in Proc.
Workshop on Systems Analysis Mathematical
Modelling, ESRI, Ottawa, 9-1 1 Apr. 1979.

Cameron, D. R.; Campbell, C. A.; Nicholaichuk,
W. 1978. Simulation of water and chloride
movement in a dryland soil. 1 1th ISSS Congr.,
Edmonton, Alta., 19-27 June.

Cameron, D. R.; Glen, P.; Read, D. W. L.; Warder,
F. G. 1979. Strata underlying some dryland
salinity sites. Agron. Abstr., Am. Soc. Agron.
Meet., Ft. Collins, Co., 5-10 Aug. 1979. p.
188.

Cameron, D. R.; Kowalenko, C. G.; Neilsen, G. H.;
Culley, J. L. 1979. The nitrogen picture in
agricultural soils of Eastern Canada. Abstr.
Can. Soil Sci. Soc. Meet., Halifax, N.S., 19-24
Aug. 1979.

Cameron, D. R.; Read, D. W. L.; Warder, F. G.
1978. Salinity: is continuous cropping the
answer? Pages 1-10 in Rosetown seminar on
production, protein and market prospects.
Palliser Wheat Growers Assoc, 7 Apr.

Cameron, D. R.; Warder, F. G.; Read, D. W. L.;
Nicholaichuk, W.; Glen, P. 1979. Hydrochem-
ical movement at a dryland salinity site near
Gull Lake. Pages 105-111 in Proc. 1979 Soils
Crops Workshop, Saskatoon, Sask., Feb. 1979.

Campbell, C. A. 1978. Organic matter, nitrogen
and fertility relative to the growth and man-
agement of cereals in S.W. Sask. In Wheat
production systems seminar series. Research
Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Campbell, C. A. 1978. Soil organic carbon, nitro-
gen and fertility. Chapter 5, Pages 173-272 in
M. Schnitzer and S. U. Khan, eds. Develop-
ments in soil science, Vol. 8, Soil organic
matter. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co.,
Amsterdam.

Campbell, C. A.; Davidson, H. R. 1978. Effect of
temperature, moisture and nitrogen fertilizer
on yield and yield components of Manitou
wheat. Page 330 in Proc. Poster Session H,
Comm. IV, 11th Int. Congr. Soil Sci., Univ.
Alta., Edmonton, Alta., 19-27 June 1978.

Davidson, H. R. 1978. The climate and its influence
on wheat production in southwestern Saskatch-
ewan. In Dryland wheat production in south-
western Saskatchewan: Seminar series. Re-
search Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Davidson, H. R. 1979. Wind and solar power for
agriculture. Can. Agric. 24(4):7-10.

Davidson, H. R.; Wrubleski, E. M.; Catania, P.
1979. The application of solar energy to grain
drying and livestock shelter heating in Sas-
katchewan. Paper 79-40 Loc. C3B Proc. Solar
Energy Soc. Can. Inc. Nat. Conf., Charlotte-
town, P.E.I.

DePauw, R. M. 1978. Breeding for post-seedling
resistance to wheat stem rust. Cereal Res.
Commun. 6:249-253.

DePauw, R. M.; Townley-Smith, T. F.; McCaig, T.
N.; Clarke, J. M. 1979. New quality objective,
pre-harvest sprouting, carbohydrate transloca-
tion, and wheat harvest physiology. Annu.
Wheat Newsl. XXV:53-54.

Hamm, J. W.; Campbell, C. A.; Read, D. W. L.
1978. Fertility assessment and fertilizer use. In
Proc. Symp. Evolution of a system for opti-
mum sustained production of spring wheat in
the Palliser Triangle. Can. Soc. Agron. Annu.
Meet., 4 July 1978.

Jame, Y. W.; Biederbeck, V. O.; Nicholaichuk, W.;
Korven, H. C. 1979. Salt balance in a catena
of Birsay soil under effluent irrigation. In Proc.
1979 Sask. Soils Crops Workshop, Saskatoon,
Sask. 14 pp.

Kilcher, M. R. 1979. Some you win — some you
don't. Forage Notes 24:(1). Spring.

Kilcher, M. R. 1979. Cutting time for alfalfa vs.
yield and quality. Canadex 121.50. Sept.

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Utilization of suncured alfalfa
pellets in rations for the pregnant cow and ewe.
Proc. 2nd Int. Congr. Green Crop Drying,
Univ. of Sask., Saskatoon, Sask., Aug. 1978.
pp. 341-344.

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Wheat production systems —
livestock and human use. In Proc. Wheat
Production Systems Seminar Series. Research
Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Requirements of the cow and
calf. In Pasture systems for the cow-calf.
Research Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Utilization of chemically
treated cereal straw by the pregnant cow and
ewe. AIC-CSAS Annu. Meet., Regina, Sask.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 58:818 (Abstract).

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Intake and digestibility changes
in wethers fed crested wheatgrass, Russian
wild ryegrass and Altai wild ryegrass of in-
creasing maturity. AIC-CSAS Annu. Meet.,

RESEARCH STATION, SWIFT CURRENT, SASK.

307

Regina, Sask. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 58:820
(Abstract).

Knipfel, J. E. 1978. Utilization of chemically
treated cereal straw by the pregnant cow and
owe Pages 65-72 in Demonstration trials using
ammoniated straw as the major proportion of
cow maintenance rations. A. J. Kernan and C.
W. Coxworth, eds. Sask. Res. Counc. Publ.
C78-12.

Knipfel, J. E. 1979. Pasture supplementation.
Range Rider, Summer, p. 3.

Knipfel, J. E.; Coxworth, E.; Kernan, J. 1979.
Improvement in the feed value of wheat straw
by processing with ammonia and high pressure
steam. Sask. Res. Counc. Publ. 79-13. 35 pp.

Knipfel, J. E.; Grant, L. 1979. An assessment of the
seasonal pattern of weight gains of beef cattle
grazed in various areas of Saskatchewan in
1978, with observations on the shrink of beef
cattle following overnight stands in a stock-
yard. Rep. Sask. Stock Growers' Assoc, 22
June 1979.9 pp.

Knipfel, J. E.; Grant, L. 1979. Performance of
cattle on Saskatchewan pasture and range.
Range Rider, Winter, p. 3.

Lawrence, T. 1978. Breeding of herbage plants,
introduction and evaluation of new species.
Pages 86-1 13 in Pasture systems for the cow-
calf. Research Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Lawrence, T. 1979. Twenty Commandments for
Grass Men. Cattlemen 42(7):22, 38.

Leyshon, A. J. 1978. Soil fertility, fertilizers and
forages. Pages 140-163 in Pasture systems for
the cow-calf. Research Station, Swift Current,
Sask.

Leyshon, A. J. 1979. Effect of N source on the
growth and yield of cereals. Pages 136-141 in
Proc. Soils Crops Workshop, Saskatoon, Sask.,
Feb. 1979.

Leyshon, A. J.; Kilcher, M. R. 1979. The long-term
effects on three grasses of a single large
application of fertilizer. Agron. Abstr. p. 175.
Am. Soc. Agron.

Looman, J.; Best, K. F. 1979. Budd's flora of the
Canadian Prairie Provinces. Agric. Can. Publ.
1662.

Neilsen, G. H.; Culley, J. L.; Cameron, D. R. 1978.
Non point N loss from agricultural watersheds
into the Great Lakes. 21st Conf. Great Lakes
Res., Univ. Windsor, 9-1 1 May.

Nicholaichuk, W. 1979. Methods of saturated
hydraulic conductivity measurements for eval-
uating seepage control in the laboratory and
the field. In Proc. 7th Annu. Workshop, All-
India coordinated research project for dryland

agriculture, Telhan Bhavan, Hyderabad, AP,
India, 7-1 1 May.

Nicholaichuk, W.; Rajput, D. S.; Sabba Rao, I. V.
1979. Prospect and retrospect, Cooperative
research project on resource development con-
servation and utilization in rainfed areas (FS-
I) and hydrologie studies to improve land and
water utilization in small agricultural water-
sheds (FS-II). In Proc. 7th Annu. Workshop,
All-India coordinated research project for
dryland agriculture, Telhan Bhavan, Hydera-
bad, AP, India, 7-11 May.

Nicholaichuk, W.; Vijayalakshmi, K. 1979. Review
of seepage control methods. In Proc. 7th Annu.
Workshop, All- India coordinated research pro-
ject for dryland agriculture, Telhan Bhavan,
Hyderabad, AP, India, 7-1 1 May.

Oosterveld, M.; Cameron, D. R.; Read, D. W. L.

1978. Mapping soil salinity using four-probe
resistance techniques. Soils Crops Workshop,
Univ. of Sask., Saskatoon, Sask. 8-9 Feb. pp.
76-84.

Paul, E. A.; Clark, F. E.; Biederbeck, V. O. 1978.
Microorganisms in North American grass-
lands. Pages 87-96 in A. Sasson and R. T.
Coupland, eds. Grassland ecosystems of the
world. Cambridge University Press, London.

Read, D. W. L.; Cameron, D. R. 1979. Response of
wheat to fertilizer in the Southwest. Proc. 1979
Soils Crops Workshop, Publ. No. 403. Ext.
Div. Univ. of Sask., Saskatoon, Sask. pp. 142-
145.

Salmon, R. E. 1978. Wheat in poultry diets. Pages
261-270 in Dryland wheat production in south-
western Saskatchewan: Seminar series. Re-
search Station, Swift Current, Sask.

Salmon, R. E. 1979. Cut turkey slaughter loss.
Poult. Can. 5(2):28.

Salmon, R. E. 1979. What's in a turkey? Poult.
Can. 5(2):29.

Salmon, R. E.; Klein, K. K. 1979. The nutritive and
economic value of rapeseed meal in poultry
diets. Proc. 28th Alta. Poult. Ind. Conf. Ed-
monton, Alta. 9 pp.

Schoenau, G. J.; Besont, R. W.; Green, G. H.;
Davidson, H. R. 1979. Thermal performance
of a solar adapted energy conserving green-
house— preliminary results. Paper 79-20 Loc.
CIA. In Proc. SESCI Nat. Conf., Charlotte-
town, P.E.I.

Townley-Smith, T. F.; Hurd, E. A. 1979. Testing
and selecting for drought resistance in wheat.
Pages 447-464 in H. Mussell and R. C.
Staples, eds. Stress physiology of crop plants.
Wiley Interscience, New York.

308

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Beaverlodge, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

L. P. S. Spangelo, B.S.A., M.Sc., PhD.
W. H. Marshall

Director
Administrative Officer

Environment and Special Crops

J. S. McKenzie, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. G. Bailey, B.Sc, Ph.D.
A. L. Darwent, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. G. N. Davidson, B.S.F., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Plant survival
Micrometeorologist
Weed research
Plant pathology

Cereal and Oilseed Crops

D. G. Faris, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
J. B. Thomas, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Cereal breeding
Wheat and rapeseed

Forage Crops

C. R. Elliott, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

S. G. Bonin, B.S.A., Ph.D.
H. Lerer, B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. L. Nelson, B.S.A., M.Sc

T. I. Szabo, B.A.E., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Vacant

Head of Section; Grass seed
management
Grass breeding
Apiculture pathology
Apiculture

Physiology and behavior of bees
Legume seed management
Production and utilization

Soils

W. A. Rice, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. M. F. Hennig, B.Sc.
Vacant

Head of Section; Microbiology
Crop management
Soil physics

research station, beaverlodge, alta.

309

Experimental Farm, Fort Vermilion, Alta.

B. Siemens, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Superintendent; Forage crops
management

Departures

P. B. Hoyt, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Transferred to Research Station, Summerland,

B.C., November 1979
P. Pankiw, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Retired 21 December 1979
W. L. Pringle, B.S.A., M.S.F.

Transferred to Experimental Farm,

Prince George, B.C., 1 May 1979

Organic matter relationships

Legume seed management

Forage production and
utilization

VISITING SCIENTIST

Agriculture Research Council of Alberta

W. G. Legge, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Cereal agronomy

310

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Northern Research Group, which comprises the Research Station at Beaverlodge and
the associated experimental farm at Fort Vermilion, Alta., is largely responsible for research
on agricultural problems of northwestern Canada. This report presents highlights of research
for 1979.

Considerable progress was made in understanding the causes of winter injury in alfalfa
fields and how improved management techniques can avoid these unnecessary losses. Weed
control practices were further refined for commercial stands of several perennial grasses grown
for seed with emphasis on control of dandelions and wild oats. In plant pathology major
research effort was devoted to the various diseases of rapeseed and the stem eyespot disease of
creeping red fescue. Seed production research with native grasses for ecological repair and
leafcutting bees for pollinating alfalfa contributed to Canada's forage seed industry. Soils
research enhanced understanding of the role of lime and chemical fertilizers as soil
amendments.

Detailed information can be obtained from the publications listed in this report.
Correspondence to individual research scientists should be addressed: Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Box 29, Beaverlodge, Alta. TOH 0C0; and
Experimental Farm, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Fort Vermilion, Alta. TOH 1N0.

L. P. S. Spangelo
Director

APICULTURE

Behavior

Queen replacement. To replace the colony
population with the offspring of the new
queen, the new queen should be introduced
prior to the end of August. Various replace-
ment methods currently exist. Using 240
colonies, 24% of the queens were replaced by
queen cell introduction. Supersedure queens
were found in 27% of the colonies, and the
original queen was found in 47%.

ENVIRONMENT

Meteorology

Role of meteorological factors in promot-
ing leafcutting bee activity. Global solar
radiation played the prominent role in main-
taining bee pollination activity. Air tempera-
ture provided a threshold barrier which
limited flight in the morning. Atmospheric
vapor pressure proved to be of no
consequence.

Plant survival

Factors associated with injury to alfalfa.
The winter of 1977-1978 was severe for many
perennial legumes in northern Alberta and

British Columbia. The winter was character-
ized by killing frost on 1 September 1977 and
-28°C and -43°C air temperatures in late
November and early December, respectively,
prior to any appreciable ground snow cover.
This caused soil temperatures at 5 cm to drop
-19°C at Beaverlodge. Cold hardiness mea-
surements (LT^), etiolated regrowth weight
measurements of root food reserves, and
visual percent stand estimates were deter-
mined on various cultivars of Medicago
sativa, M. media, and M. falcata prior to,
during, and/or following the 1977-1978 win-
ter. Fall cutting management studies indi-
cated that alfalfa harvested during August or
early September suffered severe injury. First-
cut yields in June 1978 were up to 50% lower
than the yields from control plots. M. sativa,
M. media, and M. falcata cultivars left for
seed showed little evidence of winter injury.
The results suggest that low fall food reserves
which resulted from harvesting during August
or early September and low soil temperatures
in December and January were two primary
factors associated with winter injury. M.
sativa stands cut twice in 1977 were more
severely injured than stands of M. media or
M. falcata. Three-year-old stands of M.
media were more severely injured than two-
year-old stands.

RESEARCH STATION. BEAVERLODGE, ALTA.

311

Changes in cold hardiness of alfalfa.
Plants of Medicago falcata cv. Anik were
sampled to assess their relative cold hardiness
during the fall, winter, and spring periods
from 1974-1975 to 1978-1979. Precipitation
and soil-temperature patterns and cold-hardi-
ness profiles varied considerably from year to
year. Environmental conditions in the fall
appeared to exert the greatest influence on the
cold-hardiness profile and the maximum cold-
hardiness level in midwinter. In general,
plants started to harden in mid-September.
However, hardening was delayed in the fall of
1976. This delay was associated with the early
development of crown buds and the accompa-
nying flush of growth during August and
September. During two fall-hardening peri-
ods, water-saturated soil conditions were
associated with a dehardening phase in Octo-
ber. Conditions favoring delayed fall harden-
ing and complete dehardening in the late fall
were also associated with a lower level of
hardiness in midwinter. The maximum hardi-
ness level, and the month during which it
occurred, fluctuated considerably each year.
Plants began dehardening as soil tempera-
tures increased in late winter and early spring
during 3 yr of the 5 yr period but, in the
remaining 2 yr, plants began to deharden
prior to an increase in soil temperature.

Weed control

Effect of grass species and row spacing on
dandelion establishment and growth. The size
of dandelions growing in intermediate wheat-
grass, crested wheatgrass, a northern biotype
of bromegrass, a southern biotype of brome-
grass, meadow fescue, creeping red fescue,
and timothy was effectively reduced by de-
creasing the row spacing of each grass from
100 cm to 20 cm. Russian wild ryegrass had
only a minor effect on dandelion size regard-
less of the row spacing at which it was
planted. Within any given row spacing
between 20 and 100 cm, dandelion density
was not affected by grass species. However, as
the row spacing decreased from 20 cm the
average density of dandelions growing in the
seven grass species also decreased.

Wild oat control in seedling forage grasses.
Field and greenhouse studies have been
conducted on the use of diclofop methyl
(0.84-2.24 kg/ha), barban (0.35-0.70 kg/ha),
difenzoquat (0.83-1.12 kg/ha), and flamprop
methyl (0.42-1.68 kg/ha) to control wild oats
in creeping red fescue, crested wheatgrass,

meadow fescue, bromegrass, intermediate
wheatgrass, timothy, reed canarygrass, Ken-
tucky bluegrass, and Russian wild ryegrass.

Diclofop methyl at all rates and flamprop
methyl at 0.84 kg/ha gave satisfactory wild
oat control during each of the 4 yr the study
was conducted. Barban gave good wild oat
control in 2 yr out of 3 yr in the field.
Increasing the rate from 0.35 to 0.70 kg/ha
did not produce a major improvement in wild
oat control. Control of the weed from applica-
tions of difenzoquat ranged between poor and
fair.

Creeping red fescue, crested wheatgrass,
intermediate ' wheatgrass, and Russian wild
ryegrass were generally tolerant to diclofop
methyl. Bromegrass varied from year to year
in its tolerance of diclofop methyl. Injury
occurred in the greenhouse and in one of the
years in the field. All other grasses were
severely injured by diclofop methyl. All
grasses were tolerant of difenzoquat, and all
grasses except reed canarygrass and Ken-
tucky bluegrass were tolerant of barban and
flamprop methyl.

Plant pathology

Brown girdling root rot of rape seed. Green-
house pot trials were run to test the effec-
tiveness of narrow-spectrum fungicides in
controlling brown girdling root rot. Fun-
gicides specific for Phycomycetes, Ascomy-
cetes, or Basidiomycetes each caused some
root rot reduction without producing adequate
control, indicating participation by fungi from
each of these three major fungus groups in the
root rot complex. The nematocide used did
not control root rot and was phytotoxic. Soil
from the root rot nursery used in these pot
trials did not contain phytopathogenic nema-
todes. It appears therefore that nematodes
neither cause this root rot nor provide wound
entry sites for associated fungi.

Over 3000 plants were rated for root rot,
sterility, staghead, and grey stem. No rela-
tionship between seeding date and severity of
root rot was found. Significant levels of root
rot were found on Argentine rape for the first
time, although the disease was still appre-
ciably less severe than on Polish rape.

Damping-off of rapeseed. Isolation studies
confirmed that there is a wide spectrum of
putative soil-borne pathogens in this complex,
and comparison with limited studies else-
where suggests that there is a higher percent-
age than elsewhere of soils dominated by

312

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Pythium spp. for which no seed treatment is
available, whereas available seed treatments
are fairly effective in reducing damping-off
due to Rhizoctonia and Fusarium spp., the
other principal agents.

Stem eyespot disease of creeping red
fescue. For the first time in applying fun-
gicides in the field, complete control of all
disease symtoms was obtained even though
infection in the untreated checks was moder-
ately heavy. Six fungicides were applied at six
dates during the season from one to six times
per plot. Complete control of symptoms was
obtained with biloxazol and fenarimol at two
or more applications per plot, and benomyl
gave partial control. Most treatments also
caused phytotoxicity to seed heads although
none was evident on foliage. However, all
dosage rates were at or above manufacturers'
suggested rates.

Etiological studies to resolve two conflicting
theories as to the mode and timing of most
infections failed to produce any evidence for
early season mycelial invasion from debris,
but strongly supported infection arising from
spores later in the season in association with
humid weather, although direct evidence is
still lacking. Typical lesions were produced by
inoculating clean plants with spore suspen-
sions in the greenhouse, but only under
continuous misting. This is hardly representa-
tive of field conditions, so considerable re-
finement in technique is required. Confirma-
tion that overwintering of infected stems is
required for sporulation to occur was ob-
tained, and studies on inducing sporulation of
both naturally infected stems and pure cul-
tures by artificial cold treatments are under
way.

FORAGE CROPS

Seed production

Native grasses as commercial seed crops.
The potential seed production capacity of 15
native grasses collected throughout north-
western Canada was assessed. All species
proved to have a strong propensity to produce
seed and showed no response to aftermath
removal. As with our cultivated grasses, soil
nitrogen is a prime requirement for seed head
formation. None appeared to be particularly
sensitive to the commercial herbicides nor-
mally used for the control of broad-leaved
weeds in established grass stands.

Breeding and management of Megachile
rotundata for alfalfa seed production in
northwestern Canada (lat. 55-58°N). A
northern strain of leafcutting bees, Megachile
rotundata, that commences pollination of
alfalfa at 0.5-1.7°C lower temperature and
15-45 min earlier than do bees from southern
Alberta (lat. 49-5 1°N), has been developed
through natural selection in the harsh en-
vironment of northwestern Canada (lat. 55-
58°N) and by improved management tech-
niques of using shelters made from polyethyl-
ene or other similar transparent or translucent
material. The reproduction ratio of northern
bees in 1976 and 1977, 2 yr with below-
normal July temperatures, were 3 and 1.3
times, respectively, above southern Alberta
bees. Four or more generations in the north
are required to adapt southern Alberta bees to
the northern Alberta environment.

An inverse relationship between concentra-
tion of bees per hectare of alfalfa and
reproduction of cells was demonstrated with
the reproduction ratio ranging from 2.3 to 1.3
at 15 000 to 80 000 bees per hectare, respec-
tively.

Seed yields declined with increased length
of flight. At 40 000 bees per hectare there
was a reduction of yield from 712 kg/ha at
2-5 m from the cage, to 666 kg/ha at 18 m,
and to 440 kg/ha at 35 m with an average
yield of 480 kg/ha. Higher bee populations
are required for maximum potential. Seed
blast (insect damage) was low in treated fields
but much higher in unsprayed areas, indicat-
ing need for insect control.

SOILS

Soil fertility

Effects of soil acidity and liming on
mineralization of soil nitrogen. Forty acid-
surface soils of pH 4.0-5.6 were incubated
with and without lime, and the amounts of N
that were mineralized or nitrified were com-
pared with several soil-acidity characteristics.
In addition, three field experiments were used
to find the effect of liming on N mineral-
ization. There was no relation between the
amounts of mineral N released per unit of
organic N in 120 days of incubation and soil
pH, base saturation, or soluble Fe, Al, or Mn.
Despite this, liming the soils to about pH 6.7
approximately doubled the amounts of N
mineralized during incubation. In the field
experiments, lime increased uptake of soil N

RESEARCH STATION, BEAVERLODGE, ALTA.

313

by 15-42 kg/ha in the 1st yr but only 7-10
kg/ha in the 3rd yr. Thus these laboratory
and field experiments indicate that soil acidity
does not restrict mineralization of organic N
and although liming increases mineralization
of N, it is generally a temporary effect.
Nitrification in the 40 incubated soils occur-
red much more rapidly in cultivated soils than
in virgin soils. For both the virgin and
cultivated soils, nitrification decreased with
decreasing soil pH. However, nitrification was
not related to base saturation or soluble Fe,
Al, or Mn. Liming established good nitrifica-
tion in most of the soils and this effect did not
diminish with time.

Correction of severe manganese deficiency
in wheat with chemical fertilizers. Man-
ganese, N, and P fertilizers were applied to

wheat in field experiments on a soil so
deficient in Mn that it caused the wheat to die
before heading. Yields of wheat were in-
creased linearly by soil-banded Mn to 44.8
kg/ha, giving a yield of 3.03 t/ha. Yields were
increased to a lesser extent by foliar-applied
Mn and least by soil-broadcast Mn. Soil N
and P appeared to be adequate, yet ammo-
nium sulfate at 56 kg/ha where applied alone
caused a yield of 1.69 t/ha and ammonium
sulfate nitrate gave a yield of 0.98 t/ha, the
increases being primarily due to the release of
Mn to the plants. Calcium nitrate and triple
superphosphate were much less effective in
releasing Mn.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Darwent, A. L.; Elliott, C. R. 1979. Effect of grass
species and row spacing on dandelion establish-
ment and growth. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1031-
1036.

Dodds, M. E.; Bowren, K. E.; Dew, D. A.; Faris, D.
G. 1979. The effect of windrowing hard red
spring wheat at different stages of maturity at
four locations in western Canada. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 59:321-328.

Majak, W.; McDiarmid, R. E.; vanRyswyk, A. L.;
Broersma, K.; Bonin, S. G. 1978. Alkaloid
levels in reed canarygrass grown on wet mead-
ows in British Columbia. J. Range Manage.
32(4):322-326.

Rice, W. A. 1979. Influence of the nitrogen content
of straw amendments on nitrogenase activity in
waterlogged soil. Soil Biol. Biochem. 11:187-
191.

Smith, J.; Davidson, J. G. N. 1979. Acremonium
boréale nov. sp., a sclerotial, low-temperature
tolerant, snow mold antagonist. Can. J. Bot.
57:2122-2139.

Suzuki, M.; McKenzie, J. S. 1978. Winter survival
of alfalfa under continental and Maritime
climates in Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 58:579-
586.

Thomas, J. B.; Anderson, R. G. A. 1978. Cross
incompatibility of common wheat with rye:
effect of varying the day of pollination on seed
set and development. Can. J. Bot. 56:2990-
3000.

Miscellaneous

Bailey, W. G. 1979. An analysis of errors in the
calculation of évapotranspiration by the Bowen
ratio and combination model methods. North.
Res. Group Publ. 79-1 1. 10 pp.

Bailey, W. G. 1979. An analysis of errors in the
calculation of évapotranspiration by the Bowen
ratio and combination model methods. Atmo-
sphere-Ocean, 13th Annu. Congr. Abstr. 43-
44.

Bailey, W. G. 1979. Proc. Work Plann. Meet.
Alfalfa Winter Hardiness. 10-11 Apr. 1979.
Lethbridge, Alta. 9 pp.

Davidson, J. G. N. 1979. Blackleg of rapeseed: seed
treatment against the new virulent strain.
North. Res. Group News. 1 p.

Davidson, J. G. N. 1979. Pod sterility/blight
syndrome and other rapeseed diseases in the
Peace River region in 1979. North. Res. Group
News. 1 p.

Elliott, C. R.; Howe, G. M. 1979. Forage introduc-
tions. North. Res. Group Publ. 79-16. 34 pp.

Elliott, C. R.; Howe, G. M. 1979. Forage variety
trials. North. Res. Group Publ. 79-17. 10 pp.

Faris, D. G. 1979. 1978 cereal and oilseed tests
summary available. North. Res. Group News.
Mar.

Faris, D. G.; Thomas, J. B.; Davidson, J. G. N.;
Hoyt, P. B.; Clarke, P.; Lock, H.; Hall, H.
1979. Tests on cereal and oilseed crops in the
Peace River region — 1978. North. Res. Group
Publ. 79-2. 25 pp.

314

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Hoyt, P. B. 1979. The need for liming in Western
Canada. Proc. Annu. Meet. Western Canada
Fertilizer Association. 27 Aug. 1979. Rich-
mond, B.C.

Hoyt, P. B.; Myovella, G. G. S. 1979. Correction of
severe manganese deficiency in wheat with
chemical fertilizers. Plant Soil 52:437-444.

McKenzie, J. S. 1979. My alfalfa suffered winter
injury last year too! The Hayshaker (Pembina
Forage Assoc.) 3(1 ):4.

McKenzie, J. S. 1979. The effect of environment on
winter survival. Proc. Workshop Induction of
Plant Hardiness. Can. Soc. Plant Physiol. 27
June 1979. Sackville, N.B.

McKenzie, J. S.; Rice, W. A. 1979. The effect of
fall cutting management on alfalfa survival
following the winter of 1977-78 in northern
Alberta. Proc. Alta. Soil Sci. Workshop. Leth-
bridge, Alta.

McKenzie, J. S.; Rice, W. A. 1979. Factors
associated with injury to alfalfa during the
1977-1978 winter in northern Alberta. Proc.
Can. Soc. Plant Physiol. Sackville, N.B.

Nelson, D. L. 1979. Weather factors and their
influence on honey production. Can. Beekeep.
7(12):177, 180-181.

Nelson, D. L.; Smirl, C. B. 1977. The effect of
Queen-related problems and swarming on
brood and honey production of honey bee
colonies in Manitoba. Man. Entomol. 11:45-
49.

Pankiw, P.; Siemens, B.; Lieverse, J. A. C. 1978.
Breeding and management of Megachile ro-
tundata for alfalfa seed production in north-
western Canada (Lat. 55-58°N.). Proc. IV Int.
Symp. Pollination, Md. Agric. Exp. Stn. Spec.
Misc. Publ. 1:272-277.

Pankiw, P.; Siemens, B.; Lieverse, J. A. C. 1979.
Alfalfa leaf cutter bees in northwestern
Canada. North. Res. Group Bull. 79-10. 1 1 pp.

Rice, W. A. 1979. Growth and N2-fixing activity of
alsike clover and red clover. Proc. Alta. Soil
Sci. Workshop. Feb. 1979. Lethbridge, Alta.

Szabo, T. I. 1979. Alberta bee breeding program.
Can. Beekeep. 8(2):22-23.

Szabo, T. I. 1979. Breeding, disease, management
and wintering program on the Beaverlodge
Field Day. Can. Beekeep. 8(3):33, 36-37.

Thomas, J. B.; Faris, D. G. 1979. Handbook for the
cereal and oilseed demonstration plots. North.
Res. Group Publ. 79-13. 15 pp.

RESEARCH STATION, BEAVERLODGE, ALTA.

315

Research Station
Lacombe, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

D. K. McBeath, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
T. J. Jones

Acting Director
Administrative Officer

Animal Science

J. A. Newman, B.Sc, Dip. An. Gen., Ph.D.

H. T. Fredeen, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D., F.A.I.C.
A. P. Sather, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
A. K. W. Tong, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Beef cattle
breeding
Animal breeding
Swine research
Beef cattle ROP

Meats

A. H. Martin, B.S.A., M.S.A.
H. Doornenbal, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
G. G. Greer, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.
L. E. Jeremiah, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
A. C. Murray, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Meat science

Physiology

Microbiology

Meat science

Food technology

Plant Breeding and Pathology

M. L. Kaufmann, CD., B.S.A, M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. T. Allen, B.Sc, M.Sc

W. B. Berkenkamp, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

L. P. Folkins, B.S.A., M.Sc

L. J. Piening, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Barley breeding
Cereal crops
Plant pathology
Forage crops
Plant pathology

Crop Management and Soils

D. K. McBeath, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. A. Dew, B.E.
P. A. O'Sullivan, B.Sc, Ph.D.
D. R. Walker, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Head of Section; Plant nutrition
Weed biology
Weed research
Soil chemistry

RESEARCH STATION, LACOMBE, ALTA.

317

Statistics and Data Processing

G. M. Weiss, B.S.A., M.Sc.

L. R. FOBERT

E. H. Reimer

Head of Section; Data processing
Computer programming
Systems and programming

Solonetzic Soil Substation, Vegreville, Alta.

Vacant

Officer in Charge; Soil physics and
chemistry

Departures

F. K. Kristjansson, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Transferred to Ottawa, May 1979
W. J. Murray

Retired November 1979
R. W. Jolly, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Resigned April 1979
R. R. Cairns, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Retired December 1979

Director

Administrative Officer

Economics

Soil physics and chemistry

VISITING SCIENTISTS

E. Mejias

National Director of Swine Genetics, Ministry of
Agriculture, Havana, Cuba

F. DlEGUEZ

Genetics Department, Swine Research Center,
Havana, Cuba
R.S. Lavado
Consejo Nacional de

Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Buenos
Aires, Republica Argentina

Animal breeding

Solonetzic Soil Substation,
Vegreville

318

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

This report summarizes some of the results of research conducted at the Lacombe
Research Station during 1979.

A new set of adjustment factors were developed for the ROP beef herd test program and
the usefulness of ultrasonic measurements of fat in the live animal as a predictor of carcass
composition was compared with linear measurements on the carcass after slaughter.
Evaluations of foreign breeds were continued with comparisons of the performance among the
progeny sired by bulls of several breeds. Factors affecting the storage life of meat under
simulated retail conditions were studied. The oat cultivar Cascade was licensed, the fourth oat
cultivar developed at Lacombe using the single-seed-descent method of plant breeding.
Interactions between various herbicides were investigated to develop more economical methods
of controlling a wide spectrum of weeds.

Further information on any of these research activities, reprints of publications listed in
this report, and copies of previous reports may be obtained from: Research Station, Research
Branch, Agriculture Canada, Lacombe, Alta. TOC ISO.

D. K. McBeath
Acting Director

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Beef

Additive age-of-dam adjustment factors
for weaning weight of beef cattle. Based on a
study of 373 351 weaning weight records
from the Canadian beef cattle Record of
Performance herd test program, it was con-
cluded that, although the statistical interac-
tion between age of dam and breed of sire was
significant (P < 0.05), it was small enough to
be ignored for practical purposes. This justi-
fies the use of a single set of age-of-dam
adjustment factors across all breeds of sire. A
set of additive factors to adjust calf weaning
weight for age of dam (2, 3, 4, and 5 yr or
more) within sex of calf (male or female) was
presented for each of the following breed-of-
dam classes: Angus, Charolais, Hereford,
Shorthorn, British breed crosses, half Charo-
lais-half British, half Simmental-half British,
and others.

Live ultrasonic measurement of subcutane-
ous fat for prediction of beef carcass compo-
sition. A study of 356 steers and heifers of
various breed crosses revealed that ultrasonic
readings taken 15 cm off the midline (over the
1 1th rib) were slightly more highly correlated
with carcass composition traits than measure-
ments taken 5 or 10 cm off the midline, and
that the incorporation of additional fat depth
measurements in the 11th rib area did not
materially improve the relationship between

fat depth data and carcass composition traits.
Fat measurements taken with a ruler were
more highly correlated than ultrasonic mea-
surements with carcass percent fat (r = 0.59
versus 0.34), with percent lean (r = -0.45
versus -0.33), and with kilograms of fat at a
constant carcass weight (r = 0.56 versus
0.35). Ruler measurements and ultrasonic
measurements for fat depth were equally
correlated to kilograms of lean at constant
carcass weight (r = -0.34 versus -0.33).
Breed and sex accounted for 23% of the
variation in carcass fat percent and 21% for
weight of fat at a constant carcass weight.
Ultrasonic fat measurements accounted for an
additional 12% and 10% of the variation.
Breed and sex accounted for 12% of the
variation in percent lean and 51% of the
variation in kilograms lean at constant carcass
weight. Ultrasonic fat depth measurements
accounted for an additional 9% and 3% of the
variation.

A comparison of Simmental with Limousin
steers for feedlot and carcass traits. A
comparison between 18 Simmental and 30
Limousin steers revealed that the Simmentals
exceeded the Limousins in weight at the
beginning of the postweaning gain test (37.6
± 12.3 kg), daily gain (0.12 ± 0.04 kg),
percent hide of liveweight at slaughter (1.58
± 0.27%), percent dissected intermuscular
fat (1.2 ± 0.3%), and percent bone (4.3 ±
0.5%). Limousins exceeded Simmentals in

RESEARCH STATION, LACOMBE, ALTA.

319

dressing percent (5.2 ± 0.4%) and percent
dissected lean (6.8 ± 0.8%). The breeds did
not differ significantly in age on test, feed
consumption per unit of gain, slaughter age,
hot carcass weight, average rib fat depth,
marbling score, or shear force of cooked
samples (tenderness). Thus, while the Sim-
mental steers gained more rapidly, the Lim-
ousin steers produced more lean meat of equal
quality per unit of liveweight gain.

Performance of progeny produced by
Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, and Chi-
anina bulls mated to exotic first-cross dams.
Summaries of results from cooperative for-
eign cattle breed evaluation projects involving
the Brandon, Lacombe, and Lethbridge re-
search stations revealed that Charolais-sired
calves tended to be more difficult calving,
heavier, and faster growing; Limousin-sired
calves tended to be easier calving, lighter, and
slower growing after weaning; while calves
sired by Chianina or Simmental tended to be
intermediate but closer to Charolais in these
performance traits.

Dissection of the round and long loin
established that Limousin-sired carcasses had
a lower proportion of bone and a higher
proportion of lean tissue than carcasses from
the other breeds of sire. Chianina-sired car-
casses had the highest proportion of bone but
also a greater proportion of high-priced cuts,
and they ranked second to the Limousin-sired
carcasses in dressing percent and carcass yield
of lean meat. Simmental-sired and Charolais-
sired carcasses were similar in many respects
but Simmental-sired carcasses had heavier
hides, lower dressing percent, and a slightly
lower carcass yield of lean.

Swine

Joint damage in pigs reared in confine-
ment. Foreleg joints of boars, barrows, and
gilts slaughtered at weights of 82-116 kg
were scored for degree of cartilage damage.
The incidence of completely normal cartilage
was less than 20% and moderate to severe
damage was very common. The incidence of
joint damage could not be related to sex,
carcass traits, or visual scores of physical
soundness. The degree of damage was related
to the time spent under confinement feeding
conditions and was greater in individually fed
than in group-fed pigs. Cartilage repair was
observed in pigs held on pasture following
confinement.

A genetic study of cryptorchidism and
scrotal hernia in pigs. Genetic parameters
have been estimated for cryptorchidism and
scrotal hernia. Liability of cryptorchidism
identified at birth had a heritability of 0.5 but
the heritability of cryptorchidism that devel-
oped after birth was almost zero. Scrotal
hernia had a heritability of 0.65 and 0.86 in
two herds studied and its genetic correlation
with cryptorchidism was calculated to be
0.20. Methods were developed to calculate
selection differentials for family selection and
the expected changes resulting from full-sib
and half-sib family selection were calculated.

Hog marketing strategies. In a study of
286 pigs marketed in six weight classes it was
established that, under 1979 market condi-
tions, pigs produced in a continuous produc-
tion system should be marketed at 100-110
kg live weight but batch producers should
market their pigs as heavy as 120 kg. Feed
consumption and fatness increased linearly
with both market weight and days on feed
throughout this weight range. Barrows were
faster growing and fatter than gilts but the
differences did not justify differential man-
agement or pricing. The recommendations of
this study apply to the pig feeding industry
but not necessarily to the total pork industry.

MEATS

Preservation and shelf life

The influence of retail sanitation on the
bacterial load and subsequent shelf life of rib
steaks was investigated under laboratory-
simulated retail processing conditions. Steaks
were fabricated employing extensively sanit-
ized processing equipment (<10 bacteria per
square centimetre of surface) or with highly
contaminated equipment where bacterial
counts approached lOVcm2. No significant
differences were observed in the initial bacte-
rial load, in the bacterial growth rate, or in
the organoleptic deterioration of steaks pro-
cessed under these extremes of retail sanita-
tion. These results were confirmed with
ground beef fabricated under similar ex-
tremes of grinding sanitation. Although the
bacterial load on steaks could not be related
to the degree of retail processing sanitation, it
was significantly correlated with the level of
surface contamination on wholesale ribs. In

320

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

addition, the extent of steak surface discolora-
tion and overall retail appearance were signif-
icantly correlated to the bacterial load.

Laboratory-simulated retail conditions
were employed to examine the effects of retail
display temperature upon the growth of
bacteria and the retail case-life of rib-eye
steaks. The temperature of continuously
displayed steaks ranged from 7.5 to 14.2°C
and under these conditions an average case-
life of 2.4 days was determined. However,
when steaks were limited in their time of
retail display by overnight refrigeration in a
walk-in cooler (1°C), steak temperature was
reduced to 1°C and retail case-life substan-
tially extended to 4.9 days. Increased retail
case-life resulted from a reduction in bacterial
growth which was related to the rate of
deterioration of steak retail appearance.
These findings provide an alternative to the
continuous retail display of beef which, if
applied, could greatly improve beef case-life
and reduce spoilage losses.

PSE (watery) pork

A large-scale survey of Canadian pork
carcasses at three major packing plants and
encompassing carcasses of a wide range in
carcass fatness and weight indicated that the
frequency of moderately to severely watery
pork (PSE) ranged from 10 per 1000 car-
casses to 50 per 1000 carcasses (plant nos. 3
and 2, respectively). Sex, fatness, and weight
of carcass were not significantly related to
post-mortem glycolytic rates (pH decline) or
to ultimate PSE scores. The importance of
ante- and post-mortem environment on devel-
opment of PSE musculature is emphasized.
Methods of early detection of potentially PSE
muscle, such as pH and temperature, were
found to be imprecise.

and is similar to Grizzly in plant height and
kernel characteristics. Cascade is susceptible
to stem and crown rust and is therefore not
recommended for production in the eastern
prairies of Canada. Grizzly, Harmon, and
Random are the most widely grown oat
cultivars in Alberta. Because of its superior
performance relative to these cultivars, Cas-
cade is expected to have a marked impact on
oat production in the Gray and Black soil
zones. Cascade is the fourth cultivar devel-
oped at Lacombe using the single-seed-
descent method.

Cereal diseases

Causal agents of barley root rot. It has
been shown that the prevalence of the fungi
causing barley root rot is dependent both on
the time of the growing season and on
geographic location. Helminthosporium sa-
tivum was six times as prevalent as Fusarium
spp. in the early part of the season and three
times as prevalent in the later part of the
season at Lacombe. This was true when
barley was grown under several conditions in
a rotation study.

H. sativum was found to be the major cause
of barley root rot on the southern prairies of
Alberta and Saskatchewan while Fusarium
spp. were the major causes of the disease in
northern Alberta (Peace River block).

Forage diseases

Yellow leaf blotch of alfalfa. Twenty-five
alfalfa cultivars were screened for resistance
to yellow leaf blotch caused by Leptotrochila
medicaginis (Fckl.) Schuepp. Highly signifi-
cant differences were found, and the data
indicated that resistance is of complex inheri-
tance and may be difficult to obtain by
selection.

PLANT BREEDING AND
PATHOLOGY

Oat breeding

Cascade oats. Cascade, a new high-yielding
oat cultivar developed at Lacombe, was
licensed in 1979 for sale in Canada. In 4 yr of
testing in the Gray and Black soil zones it
outyielded Grizzly by 9.4%, Harmon by
18.3%, and Random by 11.7%. Cascade
matures 3-4 days earlier than Grizzly, at a
similar time to Harmon, and 1-2 days later
than Random. It has good lodging resistance

CROP MANAGEMENT AND SOILS

Weed research

Interaction between difenzoquat and other
herbicides for wild oat and broad-leaved
weed control in barley. The interaction
between barban, a herbicide active at the two-
leaf stage of wild oats, and difenzoquat, a
herbicide active at the three- to five-leaf stage
of wild oats, was additive upon application at
the two- or four-leaf stage of wild oats. Wild
oat control with a mixture of barban and
difenzoquat at 0.14 -I- 0.42 kg/ha applied at

RESEARCH STATION, LACOMBE, ALTA.

321

the two- or four-leaf stage was as effective as
the recommended field rate of barban alone
(0.28 kg/ha) at the two-leaf or difenzoquat
alone (0.84 kg/ha) at the four-leaf stage.
Barley yield increases with the mixture were
comparable to those obtained with the full
rates of the herbicides used alone at their
correct leaf stages. This mixture offers the
farmer excellent wild oat control, an extended
latitude for spray application (two- to four-
leaf), excellent barley yield increases, and the
possibility of reduced operating costs. The
herbicidal activity of difenzoquat or a barban
plus difenzoquat mixture was reduced on
addition of amine formulations but not ester
formulations of broad-leaved weed herbicides.
MCPA ester and bromoxynil plus MCPA
were the most compatible broad-leaved weed
herbicides when mixed with difenzoquat.
Difenzoquat or difenzoquat plus barban sig-
nificantly stimulated the herbicidal activity of
various broad-leaved weed herbicides on
Tartary buckwheat. A mixture of barban,
difenzoquat, and bromoxynil-MCPA or
MCPA ester provided effective wild oat and
Tartary buckwheat control. The latter mix-
tures enable a farmer to eliminate one spray
operation. The interaction between difen-
zoquat and dichlofop methyl was additive.
Wild oat control with the mixtures was good
and barley yield was increased over that
obtained with a recommended field rate of
dichlofop methyl.

Interactions between barban and ben-
zoylprop ethyl, flamprop methyl, or flamprop
isopropyl applied at two growth stages for
wild oat control in cereals. Reduced rates of
barban were combined with reduced rates of
benzoylprop ethyl and flamprop methyl in
wheat or flamprop isopropyl in barley, and the
effects of the combinations on wild oat control
and crop yield were assessed. In greenhouse
experiments, the interaction in all three
combinations was synergistic following appli-
cation at the two- or four-leaf stage of wild
oats. Under field conditions, all three com-
binations applied at reduced rates of the
herbicides at the two- or four-leaf stage of
wild oats were as effective for wild oat control
and crop yield response as the recommended
field rates of barban (0.28 kg/ha) applied at
the two-leaf stage or benzoylprop ethyl (1.4
kg/ha), flamprop methyl (0.56 kg/ha), or
flamprop isopropyl (1.4 kg/ha) applied at the
four-leaf stage of wild oats.

Interaction between benzoylprop ethyl,
flamprop methyl, or flamprop isopropyl and
herbicides used for broad-leaved weed con-
trol. A marked antagonism of wild oat control
was found when 2,4-D, dicamba, 2,4-D-di-
camba-mecoprop, or bromoxynil were added
to benzoylprop ethyl, flamprop methyl, or
flamprop isopropyl. Because of the much
poorer control of wild oats by these mixtures,
obtaining broad-spectrum weed control with
them in one spray operation would not be
possible. The wild oat herbicides did not,
however, affect the activity of these broad-
leaved weed herbicides on Tartary buck-
wheat. In eight out of nine mixtures tested
there was no significant antagonism (in field
conditions) when MCPA or bromoxynil-
MCPA was added to the wild oat herbicides,
though a trend toward antagonism was ev-
ident. There were significant antagonistic
effects, however, in six out of nine such
mixtures in glasshouse experiments. The
differences observed between glasshouse and
field results may be attributed to the fact that
under field conditions the presence of a
competing crop may assist the mixtures in
controlling wild oats and thereby mask the
antagonism. Thus, under farm use conditions
benzoylprop ethyl, flamprop methyl, or flam-
prop isopropyl may be mixed with MCPA
amine or ester or with bromoxynil-MCPA to
obtain broad-spectrum weed control from one
spray operation, though slightly poorer wild
oat control may be expected with these
mixtures.

Influence of simulated rainfall on the
efficacy of postemergence wild oat herbicides.
Reduced effectiveness of postemergence wild
oat herbicides has been observed under field
conditions if rain fell during or shortly after
application. In order to investigate the loss
further, tests were conducted in the green-
house to study the effects of a simulated short
cloudburst at various times up to 48 h after
spraying on the effectiveness of wild oat
herbicides. The herbicides were first applied
and the leaves of wild oats were subsequently
washed by immersion of the plants in water.
The results indicated that the herbicide
treatments fell into two main categories. One
group (barban, benzoylprop ethyl, barban
plus benzoylprop ethyl, and flamprop methyl)
showed no significant loss of efficacy with the
simulated cloudburst 0.5 h after spraying.

322

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

The other group (dichlofop methyl, difen-
zoquat, and barban plus difenzoquat) re-
quired a dry period of 4-12 h after treatment
to maintain maximum efficiency. Although a
more thorough study of the effects of rain
intensity and duration on the efficacy of wild
oat herbicides is warranted, these results
provide an indication to a farmer of the likely
effectiveness of his wild oat spray program in
the event of a heavy shower shortly after the
spray operation.

Influence of various herbicides for broad-
leaved weeds and Tween 20 on control of
wheat, barley, oats, and rape with a low rate
of glyphosate. Glyphosate at 0.21 kg/ha
applied at the four-leaf stage consistently
provided excellent control of volunteer wheat,
barley, oats, and rape. Tank mixtures of
glyphosate at 0.21 kg/ha with 2,4-D, di-
camba, MCPA, bromoxynil-MCPA, or bro-
moxynil resulted in an initial reduction
(antagonism) of glyphosate activity on the
grass species at 5 days after treatment. At 34
days after treatment, the early differences had
disappeared and killing of the grasses was
virtually complete with all treatments con-
taining glyphosate. The early reduction in
control of the annual grasses with these
mixtures was overcome in most cases by
addition of Tween 20. There was no early
reduction of control by glyphosate at 0.21 kg/
ha on the grass species when dicamba at 0.1 1
kg/ha was applied sequentially at various
times in relation to glyphosate. Combinations
of glyphosate with 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPA,
bromoxynil-MCPA, or bromoxynil were as
effective as or more effective for control of
rape than the various broad-leaved weed
herbicides applied alone. Rape showed a high
degree of tolerance for dicamba.

Study of the interaction between glypho-
sate and various herbicides for broad-leaved
weed control. The effects of several herbicides
for broad-leaved weed control on phytotoxic-
ity of glyphosate to wheat, barley, and wild
oats were studied in the greenhouse. In tank
mixtures, dicamba, 2,4-D, and bromoxynil
reduced the phytotoxicity of threshold rates of
glyphosate on all three species. With increas-
ing rates of the herbicides for broad-leaved
weed control relative to a fixed rate of
glyphosate, there was a general trend toward
increased antagonism. Increasing glyphosate
rates above the threshold level in mixtures
containing a fixed rate of herbicides for

broad-leaved weed control overcame the
antagonism. Both the inert and active ingredi-
ents of 2,4-D amine and ester seemed to be
involved in the antagonism. There was no
reduction in glyphosate phytotoxicity on the
annual grasses when 2,4-D or bromoxynil was
sprayed sequentially at various times in
relation to glyphosate. When droplets of
bromoxynil and glyphosate were placed side
by side on a leaf, glyphosate phytotoxicity was
not reduced, whereas when the two herbicides
were mixed and applied as one droplet,
glyphosate phytotoxicity was reduced consid-
erably. The reduction in glyphosate phytotox-
icity caused by tank mixing with herbicides
such as 2,4-D, bromoxynil, and dicamba may
be due to a physical or chemical incompat-
ability within the tank mixture rather than to
a biological interaction in the plant.

SOLONETZIC SOIL SUBSTATION,
VEGREVILLE, ALTA.

Gypsum and ammonium nitrate for
amelioration of a Black Solonetz soil

Heavy rates of gypsum surface applied
alone and in combination with ammonium
nitrate to a Black Solonetz under dryland
conditions favorably affected the chemical
properties of the Ap and Bnt horizons and
increased water penetration into the Bnt.
Gypsum alone was equally as effective in
ameliorating the soil as the combined
treatment.

Calcium deficiency in some Solonetzic soils

Analysis of displaced soil solutions, at half
available moisture percentage, indicated that
Mg to Ca (Mg/Ca) ratios and Ca to total
cation (Ca/TC) ratios ranged from 0.35 to
3.64 and 0.74 to 0.04, respectively, in the A
and B horizons of the Solonetzic soils studied.
The growth of barley in these simulated
solution cultures began to decline when the
Mg/Ca ratio in solution exceeded 1.0, or
when the Ca/TC ratio was lower than 0.15,
regardless of levels of salinity, concentrations
of Ca or Mg, or differences in ionic strength.
Reduced growth was followed by symptoms of
Ca deficiency. Growth of barley in soil from
various horizons of Solonetzic soils supported
the results found in solution culture. Calcium
amendments to soils with low Ca/TC ratios or
high Mg/Ca ratios in the soil solution in-
creased growth and prevented Ca deficiency.

RESEARCH STATION, LACOMBE, ALTA.

323

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Allen, H. T.; Kaufmann, M. L. 1979. Athabasca
oat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:245-246.

Berkenkamp, B.; Meeres, J. 1979. Resistance of
alfalfa cultivars to yellow leaf blotch. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:873-874.

Carter, M. R.; Cairns, R. R.; Webster, G. R. 1978.
Surface application of gypsum and ammonium
nitrate for amelioration of a Black Solonetz
soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 58:279-282.

Carter, M. R.; Webster, G. R.; Cairns, R. R. 1979.
Calcium deficiency in some Solonetzic soils of
Alberta. J. Soil Sci. 30:161-174.

Dormaar, J. F.; Cairns, R. R. 1978. Chemical and
physical properties of the parent material of a
Solonetz soil after incubation with plant mate-
rial. Can. J. Soil Sci. 58:187-193.

Folkins, L. P.; Berkenkamp, B.; Baenziger, H.
1976. Norlac red clover. Can. J. Plant Sci.

56:757-758.

Fredeen, H. T.; Martin, A. H.; Sather, A. P. 1979.
Evaluation of electronic technique for measur-
ing lean content of the live pig. J. Anim. Sci.
48:536-540.

Fredeen, H. T.; Sather, A. P. 1978. Joint damage in
pigs reared under confinement. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 58:759-773.

Jeremiah, L. E.; Martin, A. H. 1978. Histological
and shear properties of bovine muscle and their
alteration during post-mortem aging. Meat
Sci. 2:169-180.

Mikami, H.; Fredeen, H. T. 1979. A genetic study
of cryptorchidism and scrotal hernia in pigs.
Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 21:9-19.

O'Sullivan, P. A.; Vander Born, W. H. 1979.
Interactions between barban and benzoylprop
ethyl, flamprop methyl or flamprop isopropyl
at two growth stages for wild oat control in
cereals. Weed Res. 19:255-259.

Miscellaneous

Berkenkamp, B.; Stauffer, M. D.; Meeres, J. 1979.
Forage yields of proso millet at Lacombe.
Forage Notes 24(1 ):38-39.

Cairns, R. R. 1978. Solonetzic soils research in
Canada. Canadex 530.

Folkins, L. P. 1976. Response of legumes to
intensity of clipping in the seeding year.
Forage Notes 2 1(2):3 1-33.

Folkins, L. P. 1979. Annual silage crops in central
Alberta. Canadex 120.

Folkins, L. P. 1979. Fall cutting of alfalfa vs. winter
survival and yield. Canadex 121.50.

Folkins, L. P.; Spink, R. E. 1978. Modification or
construction of a plot sweep, plot cultivator
and a transplanter. Forage Notes 23(l):86-88.

Fredeen, H. T. 1979. Cattle production in Canada.
Proc. 1st West. Can. Vet. Conf. (Saskatoon,
Sask. 1 1-12 June 1979). pp. 320-342.

Fredeen, H. T. 1979. Swine breeding plans and
objectives. Report on Farming. Oct.

Fredeen, H. T.; Lawson, J. E.; Martin, A. H.;
Newman, J. A.; Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979.
Carcass characteristics of progeny sired by
Charolais, Simmental, Limousin and Chianina
bulls mated with exotic first-cross dams. Agric.
Can. Publ. 1683. 11 pp.

Fredeen, H. T.; Lawson, J. E.; Newman, J. A.;
Rahnefeld, G. W. 1979. Preweaning and post-
weaning performance of progeny sired by
Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, and Chi-
anina bulls mated with exotic first-cross dams.
Agric. Can. Publ. 1682. 15 pp.

Fredeen, H. T.; Sather, A. P.; Martin, A. H. 1979.
Joint damage in pigs. Canadex 440.10.

Jeremiah, L. E. 1978. A review of factors affecting
meat quality. Tech. Bull. 1. Research Station,
Lacombe, Alta. 84 pp.

Martin, A. H.; Fortin, A.; Sim, D. W.; Johnson, A.
1979. National hog carcass project. Tech. Rep.
Agric. Can., Ottawa.

Mills, J. T.; Pelletier, G. J.; Davidson, J. G. N.;
Piening, L.; Nielsen, J. 1978. Cooperative seed
treatment trials for bunt. Can. Plant Dis. Surv.
58:12-14.

O'Sullivan, P. A. 1979. Barley and oats, registered
weed control practices, Western Canada 1979.
Canadex 114.641/113.641.

Sather, A. P.; Fredeen, H. T.; Martin, A. H. 1979.
Genetic improvement of feed conversion in
pigs. Canadex 440.40.

324

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Lethbridge, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. E. Andrews, F.A.I.C., B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
D. B. Wilson, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
S. B. Arnason, B.S.A.

C. G. SCHOENING

Director

Acting Assistant Director
Head, Administration
Finance Officer

Scientific Support

G. C. R. Croome, B.A., M.Sc.F.

G. K. Honey, B.S.A.

G. C. Kozub, B.Sc, M.Sc.

J. P. Miska,1 B.A., B.L.S.

C. M. Running,1 B.A., B.L.S.

Scientific Editor

Technical Information Officer

Biometrician

Library Area Coordinator

Assistant Librarian

Animal Parasitology

W. O. Haufe, B.A., M.Sc., D.I.C., Ph.D.

R. W. Baron, B.Sc., Ph.D.

M. A. Khan, G.V.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

W. A. Nelson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. H. Robertson, B.A., M.Sc

J. A. Shemanchuk, CD., B.Sc, M.Sc.

W. G. Taylor, B.S.P., Ph.D.

J. Weintraub, B.A., M.S.

P. R. Wilkinson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Bioclimatology

Immunology

Toxicology

Parasitology

Serology

Biting fly ecology

Pesticide chemistry

Cattle grub ecology

Tick ecology and control

Animal Science

E. E. Swierstra, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

C. B. M. Bailey, B.S.A, M.S.A., Ph.D.

D. M. Bowden, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
T. D. Carruthers, D.V.M., Ph.D.
K.-J. Cheng,2 B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Reproductive
physiology
Animal physiology
Animal nutrition
Reproductive physiology
Rumen microbiology

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

325

G. H. Coulter, B.Sc, Ph.D.

E. E. Gardiner, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

R. Hironaka, B.Sc, M.Sc., PhD.

J. E. Lawson, B.S.A., M. S. A.

G. J. Mears, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD.

J. A. P. Vesely, B.S.A., M.S.A., PhD.

Reproductive physiology

Poultry nutrition

Animal nutrition

Beef cattle breeding

Animal physiology

Sheep and dairy cattle breeding

Crop Entomology

S. McDonald, CD., B.Sc., M.Sc

W. A. Charnetski, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

J. M. Hardman, B.Sc, M.Sc, D.I.C, Ph.D.

A. M. Harper, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

B. D. Hill, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

C. E. Lilly, B.Sc, M.Sc.

K. W. Richards, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
B. D. Schaber, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. L. Struble, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
G. E. Swailes, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Toxicology

Insecticide residues

Grasshoppers

Aphids

Insecticide chemistry

Potato and sugarbeet insects

Insect pollinators

Forage crop pests

Insect attractants

Cutworms

Economics3

K. K. Klein, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. D. Russell,4 B.Sc, M.S.
R. P. Zentner,5 B.S.A., M.Sc

Head of Section; Pest control and
livestock production
Irrigation
Dryland crop production

Plant Pathology Section

T. G. Atkinson, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

K. J. Degenhardt, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. R. Harper, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. J. Hawn, D.F.C., CD., B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. A. Nelson, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. W. A. Roberts, B.A., Ph.D.

J. A. Traquair, B.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Cereal root rots,

viruses
Smuts and oilseed diseases
Cereal leaf diseases
Forage and nematode diseases
Potato and bacterial diseases
Cold-hardiness physiology
Forage and low-temperature

diseases

Plant Science

A. Johnston, LL.D., F.A.I.C,

B.S.A., M.S.
J. R. Allan, B.Sc, M.A., Ph.D.
S. Freyman, B.Sc, M.S.A., Ph.D.
M. N. Grant, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. M. Hamman, B.Sc.Agr., Ph.D.
M. R. Hanna, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Acting Head of Section; Range
ecology
Aquatic plant physiology
Crop physiology
Winter wheat breeding
Crop weeds
Forage legume breeding

326

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

M. S. Kaldy, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.
G. A. Kemp, B.Sc, PhD.
D. R. Lynch, B.Sc, M.Sc., PhD.
M. D. MacDonald, B.Sc, PhD.
W. H. Mains,6 B.Sc. (Eng.)

D. J. Major, B.Sc (Agr.), M.Sc, PhD.
J. R. Moyer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
H.-H. MOndel, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

S. Smoliak, B.Sc, M.S.

S. A. Wells, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. D. P. Whelan, B.S.A., M.S.A., PhD.

Food science

Vegetable breeding

Potato breeding

Corn breeding

Forage systems engineering

Crop physiology

Weed control

New crops

Dryland pasture

Barley breeding

Wheat cytogenetics

Soil Science

D. C. MacKay, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.
J. B. Bole, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

J. M. Carefoot, B.S.A., M.S.A.
C. Chang, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
J. F. Dormaar, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
S. Dubetz, B.Sc, M.S.

E. H. Hobbs, B.Sc. (Eng.)

C. W. Lindwall, B.Sc, M.Sc

R. G. L. McCready, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

M. Oosterveld, B.Sc (Eng.), M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. J. Rennie, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

T. G. Sommerfeldt, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Plant nutrition

Plant nutrition

Chemical analyses

Soil physics

Organic chemistry

Irrigation agronomy

Irrigation engineering

Agricultural engineering

Biophysical chemistry

Hydrology

Soil microbiology

Drainage engineering

Departures

Black fly ecology

Black fly ecology
Irrigation efficiency

K. R. Depner, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Retired 27 December 1979
D. G. Keller, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

Resigned 7 August 1979
K. K. Krogman, B.Sc, M.Sc.

Retired 27 December 1979
R. I. Larson, D.Sc, F.A.I.C, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. Spring wheat breeding

Retired 29 May 1979
L. E. Lutwick, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Retired 27 December 1979
H. McKenzie, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Deceased 22 August 1979

U. J. PlTTMAN, B.SC

Retired 27 December 1979

M. G. Roach
Transferred 27 April 1979 to Revenue Canada-
Taxation

R. B. Rogers, B.Sc, M.Sc.
Resigned 14 June 1979

Grassland soils

Spring wheat breeding
Dryland agronomy

Personnel Officer

Engineering

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

327

B. H. Sonntag, B.S.A., M. Se, Ph.D. Economies of forage and

Transferred to Western Region livestock production

Headquarters, Saskatoon, Sask., 1 August 1979

VISITING SCIENTIST

National Research Council of Argentina postdoctorate fellow
J. P. Fay, Ph.D., 1978-1980 Rumen microbiology

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

:On transfer of work to The Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, U.K., from September 1978 to September

1979.
'Seconded from the Policy, Planning, and Economics Branch.

4On educational leave, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oreg., from August 1976 to August 1979.
sOn educational leave. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., from September 1978 to September 1981.
*On educational leave. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., from September i 979 to September 1980.

328 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

Scientists of the Research Station at Lethbridge are engaged in a wide variety of research
that has both local and national application. Research activities range from local cultivar and
fertilizer trials to development of improved crop cultivars, basic research on the chemical
structure of pesticides, and participation in the national dairy cattle breeding project. Scientists
of six discipline-oriented research sections are organized into multidisciplinary teams to meet
Department objectives.

In the brief reports that follow, there is a discernible focus on manipulation of the
agricultural environment through biological means. Plant breeding to develop resistance to
insects and diseases is a traditional means of biological control, but there are also many new
approaches. The control of mosquitoes through fungal infection of larvae, inducing resistance
to warble flies in cattle through immunological means, the use of natural or synthetic
pheromones to monitor or disrupt insect flights, and the development of synthetic pyrethroid
insecticides to simulate naturally occurring ones are other examples. Research on N2 fixation in
leguminous and nonleguminous crops will help to limit the need for manufactured fertilizer,
and integrated pest management studies will lead to greatly reduced need for insecticides on
some crops.

The prairie potato breeding project became fully operational this year. The project is
based at Lethbridge, but is cooperative with provincial departments of agriculture in
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and is closely integrated with the national program at
Fredericton, N.B.

Some additional highlights were the discovery of the reproductive stage of the low-
temperature basidiomycete that causes snow mold damage to overwintering plants, conclusion
of the black fly control research on the Athabasca River, further clarification of the role of the
bacterial population that inhabits the rumen wall of sheep and cattle, characterization of the
annual growth forms of the troublesome Eurasian water-milfoil, and determination of the yield
potential of grain sorghum under a wide range of soil moisture conditions.

There was a significant reduction in staff during the year with the departure of nine
scientists, some of whom had made outstanding contributions to Canadian agriculture over
many years. Of special regret was the death of Dr. Hugh McKenzie in an automobile accident
on active duty.

This report summarizes some of the main research results of 1979. Further detailed
information may be obtained from the scientists or from publications listed in this report.
Correspondence or requests for reprints should be addressed to: Research Station, Research
Branch, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alta. TU 4B1.

J. E. Andrews
Director

ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY

Biting flies

Mosquitoes. Coelomomyces psorophorae
Couch, a fungal pathogen successfully cul-
tured in the laboratory, was tested in field
trials for practical biocontrol of Culiseta
inornata (Williston) in irrigated pastures.
Infection rates were compared in ponds
inoculated with three different stages of the
life cycle of the pathogen. Inoculations pro-
duced mortality rates of 3.6% with infected 6
day copepod intermediate hosts, 28% with
zygotes from infected intermediate hosts, and

0.4% with resistant sporangia at the 'go'
stage. Results indicate that the zygote is the
most effective stage for dispersion of the
pathogen and for maximum potential in the
practical biocontrol of mosquitoes under field
conditions.

Black flies. The multidisciplinary intera-
gency program on the control of Simulium
arcticum Malloch in the Athabasca River was
concluded with an analysis of pesticidal
efficacy and environmental impacts during 5
yr consecutively. Black-fly control and en-
vironmental impacts of the pesticide were

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

329

highly dependent on hydraulic conditions in
the river during treatment. Populations of
black-fly larvae were reduced abut 95-99%
for a distance of 160 km downstream by a
single injection of methoxychlor at a concen-
tration of 0.3 ppm for 7.5 min. Optimum
control depended on rates of river discharge
and current velocity sufficient to maintain
high concentrations of silt and detritus parti-
cles in suspension throughout the infested
course of the river. Two injections in spring to
cover a minimum of 250 km of infested river
below the town of Athabasca are necessary to
reduce the adult infestations in adjacent
farming areas by 70%. Spring applications of
pesticide were ineffective in reducing in-
vasions by adult flies during subsequent years
with no treatment. Massive hatchings of eggs
are initiated annually by the scouring action
of spring and early summer floods and the
extensive associated movement of the bedload
in the river.

From comparative analyses of nontarget
taxa in the 3 yr with pesticidal applications
and 2 yr with no treatment, it has been
concluded that an annual spring treatment
scheduled for optimum control of S. arcticum
may be applied with an acceptable level of
risk for fish and the invertebrate food chain.
No detrimental accumulation of pesticidal
residues could be detected in water, river
bedload, or delta deposits in a complete
residue survey of the river system during the
year following the last treatment.

On the basis of the results of the program,
recommendations for abatement of black flies
in large rivers have been developed.

In vitro culture of larvae of warble flies

First-instar larvae of H. lineatum were
reared in vitro from hatch to molt in TCI 99
plus 10% fetal calf serum at 36-37°C. The
mortality was high but development time,
224-245 days, and final size of larvae, 15-18
mm length, were the same as in cattle. For the
first 30-90 days, the tiny larvae were very
active while accumulating stores of colla-
genase in the midgut. Then, up to 210 days,
they were relatively inactive and produced
small quantities of collagenase from the
mouth but nothing from the anus. Thereafter,
larval activity resumed with much twisting of
the stoutly spined posterior end while colla-
genase was emitted copiously from the anus
and a little from the mouth. Before molting,

the larvae again became inactive and devel-
oped second-instar tissues. These events re-
flect: the initial migration through connective
tissues to the host's esophagus; the long period
of larval inactivity in the esophageal submu-
cosa, when the larval hindgut is plugged by a
solid cell barrier; migration to the host's back
and cutting the breathing hole, aided by the
anal flow of collagenase; and the final settling
of the larva to molt in the warble location.
High levels of host antibody occurring during
the last active period might also be in re-
sponse to the increased flow of collagenase
and metabolites from the larva.

Sustained release of growth regulators for
control of horn flies and house flies

A variation of feed-through treatment of
flies breeding in cattle manure is the sus-
tained-release bolus of insect growth regula-
tor. Boluses containing 10% diflubenzuron
were given to young beef heifers on pasture
and in feedlot and evaluated against horn fly
and house fly larvae by bioassay. They re-
sulted in 100% mortality of horn fly larvae for
1 6 wk on pasture and 1 7 wk in the feedlot, but
without affecting the eggs. After the period of
complete control, a few deformed nonviable
puparia appeared, then normal puparia that
produced normal flies. The house-fly trials
were less effective and gave more variable
results. Larval mortality from cattle on
pasture, corrected by Abbott's formula, aver-
aged 82.4% for the first 6 wk and 63.7% the
next 6 wk. In feedlot cattle, the corrected
control averaged 80.4% for the first 12 wk,
after which control was ineffective. Slow-
release boluses control horn-fly populations
through most of the season but provide
effective house-fly control for a shorter period.

Preventive treatment for tick paralysis

Since benzene hexachloride has been
banned and the supply of its gamma isomer,
lindane, is also tenuous under restricted
patterns of use, alternatives have become
necessary for effective prevention of tick
paralysis. Permethrin formulations were com-
pared to the present recommendation of
0.25% lindane in field trials of cattle exposed
to paralysis by the Rocky Mountain wood tick
at Douglas Lake, B.C. Permethrin as a 1%
pour-on or 0.5% spray was an effective
replacement for lindane. The 0.0125% spray
proposed in registration for other livestock

330

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

pests was insufficiently persistent for the tick
period.

Toxicology and efficacy of pesticides

Phosmet. A pour-on treatment with phos-
met at a dose of 25 mg/kg was 99.4% effective
for systemic control of cattle grubs in yearling
steers and also provided control of the short-
nosed cattle louse on heavily infested 'carrier'
cows. The louse control was 74% (range 69-
88%) up to 55 days posttreatment.

No signs of phosmet poisoning were discov-
ered in treated steers and cows. The whole-
blood cholinesterases (ChE) were reduced
significantly in the steers 2-7 wk after treat-
ment, with a maximum reduction of 31.3%
occurring 2 wk posttreatment. The ChE were
also depressed significantly in cows to a
maximum of 28.8% at 1 wk posttreatment.
However, with the gradual improvement in
the blood values of the cows, which were
anemic at the time of treatment, the ChE
were restored to the normal level by 13 days
posttreatment.

Permethrin. Sprays with 0.05% permethrin
at 4.5 L per head and a pressure of 28 kg/cm2
reduced horn-fly infestations by 92.9% (range
78.6-99.8%) for 28 days when the treatment
was applied to each animal in a herd of 12
yearling steers. Infestations were also reduced
by 87.3% (range 71-100%) for only 14 days
when the treatment was applied to three
steers in a separate herd of 1 2 yearling steers.

Treatments provided no barrier to horn flies
landing on cattle, but they prevented flies
from taking a blood meal. Landing rates of
flies were the same on treated and untreated
animals throughout the experimental period
of 20 days. Of the number of flies landing,
6.5% (range 0-22) and 16.9% (range 9-23)
had taken blood meals up to 8 and 20 days,
respectively, posttreatment. The mortality
rate was 100% for horn flies landing up to 15
days posttreatment and more than 81% for
those landing up to 20 days posttreatment.

Chemistry. Research on livestock insecti-
cides has focused on developing the micro-
somal enzyme system (mixed-function ox-
idases) for evaluating the metabolism of
pesticides, particularly insect repellents. Us-
ing buffered suspensions of liver microsomes,
the oxidative metabolism of the repellent
citronyl was investigated by a variety of
biochemical and analytical-chemical tech-
niques. Structures of the observed metabolites
were tentatively assigned by instrumental

methods, primarily mass spectrometry, and
were confirmed by comparison with authentic
samples of the metabolites. Levels of alcohol
and epoxide compounds in the metabolic
extracts were measured by quantitative gas
chromatography.

Although synthetic pyrethroid insecticides
(e.g. permethrin) have shown much promise
for protecting livestock from biting flies, most
are unavailable in pure form. This need for
pure samples has resulted in the discovery of a
new chemical synthesis for the acid moiety of
permethrin. The methodology, involving use
of ozone gas and a novel Wittig reaction, was
useful in preparing pure samples of these
compounds from chrysanthemic acid.

ANIMAL SCIENCE
Beef cattle

Testicular development in young beef
bulls. The relationship between paired-testes
weight and scrotal circumference was exam-
ined in 335 yearling and 2 yr old Hereford
and Angus bulls. The equation best describing
these data is Y = -722.3 + 36.5* (r =
0.95), where Y is paired-testes weight in
grams and X is scrotal circumference in
centimetres. Scrotal circumference in young
beef bulls is an excellent predictor of testicu-
lar weight or size. Differences in scrotal
circumference due to breed were examined in
1984 yearling beef bulls of eight breeds
completing 1140 day growth-performance
tests. The average scrotal circumferences by
breed were Aberdeen Angus 35.9 cm, Blonde
d'Aquitaine 33.9 cm, Charolais 34.7 cm,
Hereford 34.8 cm, Limousin 32.1 cm, Maine
Anjou 35.8 cm, Shorthorn 34.5 cm, and
Simmental 38.2 cm. Beef breeds differ consid-
erably in testicular development at 1 yr of
age. The heritability of the scrotal circumfer-
ence trait of yearling beef bulls was 0.69 as
estimated across all breeds.

Effect of dietary energy on beef bull
fertility. A 3 yr study to examine the effects
of high- versus low-energy diets (daily digest-
ible energy ca. 630 versus 500 kJ/kg W ° 75,
where W is the body weight) on the reproduc-
tive capacity of 120 young Hereford and
Angus bulls was completed. The mean paired-
testes weights for high- and low-plane 2 yr old
Hereford bulls were 479 and 629 g. The
corresponding weights for Angus bulls were
527 and 608 g. A significant (P < 0.01)

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE. ALTA.

331

interaction for breed x energy level of diet
was observed in epididymal sperm reserves of
2 yr old bulls. Epididymal sperm reserves
expressed on a per-gram-of-testes basis for
the low-plane Herefords (57.1 x 106) were
46% greater than for the high-plane bulls
(28.9 x 106). In contrast, low-plane Angus
(54.7 x 106) did not differ from the high-
plane bulls (69.1 x 106). High-energy diets
appear quite detrimental to 2 yr old Hereford
bulls. Epididymal sperm reserves were 39%
greater (P < 0.01) in 2 yr old Angus bulls
than in Hereford bulls of the same age. No
differences due to dietary energy or breed
were found for total testicular lipid. The mean
total lipid per gram of testicular parenchyma
was 25.72 mg. Bulls fed high-energy diets had
32% more (P < 0.01) total scrotal lipid
(13.81 mg/g of scrotal hide) than bulls on
low-energy diets (10.37 mg/g). Total scrotal
lipid did not differ between the Hereford and
Angus breeds (12.95 and 11.23 mg/g; P >
0.05). High levels of scrotal lipid resulting
from high dietary energy may impair normal
thermoregulation and spermatogenesis.

Feeding programs for Charolais-Hereford
steers. Charolais-Hereford steer calves aver-
aging 253 kg were assigned to one of five
feeding programs until they were marketed at
about 521 kg. The all-concentrate diet was
fed to obtain a low (L), medium (M), or high
(H) rate of gain. The feeding levels were
arranged to provide five feeding programs of
LMH, HML, MMM, HHH, and LLH, with
the first two periods each being 12 wk and the
final period lasting until the steers reached the
target market weights. The rate of gain of
group LMH was 1.01 kg/day, HML 0.91 kg/
day, MMM 0.95 kg/day, HHH 1.10 kg/day,
and LLH 0.92 kg/day. An average of 106 M J
of digestible energy was required per kilo-
gram of gain and was similar among groups.
The average dressing percentage was 57.3%
and similar among groups. Steers on the
HHH program yielded the fattest carcasses
with 1.49 cm of backfat at the 1 1th- 12th rib
(used for grading). The backfat of steers on
the LMH program was 1.22 cm, HML 1.01
cm, MMM 0.99 cm, and LLH 1.15 cm. All
steers graded Al or A2 except 25% that
graded A3 (fat) in the HHH group.

Feed use for calf production by 2 yr old
crossbred beef heifers. Simmental X Angus
(SA), Charolais x Angus (CA), Hereford x
Angus (HA), and Jersey x Angus (JA)
heifers that consumed 10% more energy than

considered adequate for normal growth and
reproduction were heavier, produced more
milk, and weaned heavier calves in the first
lactation than those consuming the 'normal'
level of energy. Calves from dams on the two
levels of energy intake had similar efficiencies
in converting energy that they obtained from
milk and creep feed to preweaning weight
gain. However, the digestible energy (DE)
consumed by the dams or by the dams and
their calves per kilogram of calf weaned at
200 days of age was greater for dams on the
higher energy intake.

Daily consumption of DE during the lacta-
tion averaged 100 M J for SA and CA, 91.3
MJ for HA, and 94.2 MJ for JA heifers.
Daily production of energy from milk was
greater (/> < 0.05) for JA than for CA or HA
heifers (22.2 versus 17.6 and 18.4 M J) but
not significantly greater than for SA (20.1
MJ). Calves from CA and HA dams compen-
sated in energy intake for the lower milk
production of their dams by consuming more
creep feed than calves from SA or JA dams.
Consumption of DE per kilogram of calf
weaned averaged 86.3 MJ for the dams and
101 M J for dams and calves with no signifi-
cant difference among the four breed types of
dams.

Feedlot bloat. Our earlier studies showed
that bloat is greatly reduced when cows are
fed a coarse rather than a fine particle size
diet. When salt was increased from 0.5% to
4.0% in a fine particle, all-concentrate feed,
the rumen fluid characteristics associated
with bloat (frothy conditions, high viscosity,
and low pH) were reduced. Cows fed a 0.5%
salt diet had large numbers of broken bacte-
rial cells and cells with slimy materials in
their rumen contents compared with those fed
the 4% salt diet. The constituents of these
broken cells, along with the bacterial slime,
produce a highly viscous rumen fluid in which
the gas becomes trapped. The extra salt
increased water intake and thus the flow of
water through the rumen. Both factors in-
creased the flow of material from the rumen
and appeared to alter fermentation in such a
way as to oppose development of conditions
that lead to bloat. Although 4% salt in the
diet reduced rumen fluid factors associated
with bloat, the addition of salt should be
considered a temporary means of reducing
bloat because of cost and expected reduction
in feed intake.

332

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Rumen microbiology. The discovery of a
distinct, partially facultative, bacterial popu-
lation on the rumen wall helps us to under-
stand the important interface between the
anaerobic conditions in the lumen of the
rumen and the patently aerobic surrounding
tissue. These bacteria are products of a highly
specific ecological niche where the adherent
bacteria rely on the host animal for nutrition
and the host uses the symbiotic relationship in
respect of an essential enzyme activity. Spe-
cifically, this bacterial population adhering to
the rumen wall contributes to the overall
process of ruminant digestion in at least three
ways. First, it converts the waste protein of
dead epithelial cells to subsequently usable
bacterial biomass; second, it produces the
urease that converts urea to nutritionally
valuable ammonia; and third, it facilitates
and partially regulates urea transport from
the blood across the rumen epithelium.

Sheep

Out-of-season breeding of sheep. Six con-
secutive production cycles, each of 212 days
duration from the beginning of breeding in
one cycle to the beginning in the next, were
completed with Rambouillet and Suffolk
ewes. One group of each breed was main-
tained under natural light conditions (control)
and three groups of each breed were under the
influence of various light treatments applied
regularly in a rhythmic fashion within each
production cycle. Comparison of conception
rates between production cycles, breeds, and
treatments showed that only in the second
production cycle (breeding in June) were the
conceptions in control ewes of both breeds
significantly lower than those in ewes on
altered light treatments. The most meaningful
result was the effect of light treatments on
prolificacy. Treatment 3 (106 days with light
for 16 h/day and 106 days with light for 8
h/day) gave significantly higher prolificacy
than the control and treatments 1 (106 days
with light for 8 h/day starting 65 days before
breeding) and 2 (42 days with light for 16
h/day, then light reduction at 21 min/wk for
160 days). Rambouillet and Suffolk control
ewes produced annually 179 and 174 lambs
per 100 ewes exposed to rams. Corresponding
productions were 200 and 197 for treatment
1, 193 and 226 for treatment 2, and 223 and
242 for treatment 3.

Poultry

Growth responses of chicks fed fababean
diets. Fababeans were fed to broiler chicks
from 1 to 28 days of age in four experiments.
In experiment 1, where fababeans were the
sole source of supplementary protein, body
weights of chicks fed the different cultivars
differed significantly and ranged from Maris-
bead (571 g) > Strubes > Pavane >
Ackerperle > Kleinkoernige (456 g) but none
of the fababean diets supported gains equal to
that obtained with soybean meal diets (670
g). In experiment 2, supplementary protein
source (soybean meal and fababean), dietary
protein level (18 and 22%), methionine level
(0.0 and 0.3% added), and lysine level (0.0
and 0.3% added) significantly affected body
weights of chicks. Significant first-order inter-
actions were obtained but chicks fed fababean
diets were always lighter than those fed
soybean meal diets. In experiment 3, four
cultivars of fababeans (Marisbead, Acker-
perle, Diana, and Kleinkoernige) grown under
various N fertilizer treatments were tested.
There were no significant differences in chick
weights among fababean cultivars or among
cultivars grown under different N treatments.
When fababeans supplied 25% of the total
protein in 22% protein diets, they supported
rapid weight gain (701 g) but did not equal
soybean meal diets (761 g). In experiment 4,
where isocaloric diets of two energy levels
were used, fababeans at 20 or 40% of the diet
supported as high body weights as soybean
meal in the low-energy diets. In high-energy
diets, 20% fababeans also supported as high
body weights as soybean meal but the 40%
fababean diets did not. In none of the experi-
ments did fababeans support as low a feed-to-
gain ratio as soybean meal.

Rapeseed meal diets for broiler chicks.
The introduction of new rapeseed cultivars
has increased the interest in the use of
rapeseed in poultry diets. An experiment was
conducted to determine the effect of Tower
rapeseed meal in combination with conven-
tional (13.5% protein) and high-protein (21%)
wheats on growth and feed conversion of male
broiler chicks. Twelve diets were formulated
to contain the two wheats in soybean meal
diets and rapeseed meal diets at various
energy levels. Half the diets contained 0.3%
supplemental lysine and half did not. Body
weights of chicks fed conventional or high
protein wheat in soybean meal diets did not

RESEARCH STATION. LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

333

differ significantly, regardless of lysine sup-
plementation. However, feed-to-gain ratio
improved significantly when lysine supple-
mentation was used in the high-protein wheat
diet. Chicks fed conventional wheat in the
rapeseed meal diet without supplemental
lysine were lighter and had higher feed-to-
gain ratios than those fed either of the wheats
with soybean meal. Supplemental lysine im-
proved growth only slightly. The high-protein
wheat in rapeseed meal diets without lysine
supplementation resulted in body weights that
were significantly below those of any of the
other diets, but when the diets were supple-
mented with lysine, growth rate was improved
and was not significantly lower than those of
the soybean meal diets. Feed-to-gain ratio was
significantly improved by the addition of
lysine to the diet containing high-protein
wheat and rapeseed meal. Adjustments in
energy levels (to give isocaloric diets) did not
improve the body weight of chicks fed the
conventional wheat plus rapeseed diets but
did improve the feed-to-gain ratio. However,
even with equal energy in the diets, the
rapeseed meal diets did not support as low a
feed-to-gain ratio as the soybean meal diets.

CROP ENTOMOLOGY

Forage crop insects

Alfalfa seed crops. The cooperative inte-
grated pest management program on alfalfa
grown for seed has been well accepted in the
Brooks area, and total area in this program
increased over 1978. Insect control procedures
were initiated according to the program, and
as a result, the area treated with insecticide
decreased from 1978.

Weekly sampling of alfalfa fields revealed
that populations of alfalfa weevil were greatly
reduced from 1978 levels, possibly due to the
cold winter with minimal snow cover. Thus
chemical control of the weevil was reduced by
about 75% from that applied the previous
year. Ecological studies showed that the
overwintering adult weevils became active at
the same time as they did in 1978, but egg
laying and larval development were delayed
2-3 wk.

Populations of plant bugs remained at 1978
levels but numbers of lygus and aphids were
substantially higher. Populations of ladybird
beetle and damsel bug predators increased
whereas pirate bugs remained at the same
level this year as in 1978.

Alfalfa forage crops. The nutrient values
for animals of forages from alfalfa, oats, and
broad bean were not affected when infested
with pea aphids and grain aphids, Metapolo-
phium dirhodum Walker. The aphids con-
tained similar amino acids to those in the host
plants. Protein quality of the aphids was
similar to alfalfa and oats but slightly lower
than broad beans, and more protein and fats
occurred in aphids than in host plants. Aphid-
infested, 3 wk old alfalfa, when subjected to
cold-hardiness tests, produced small crowns,
less cold-hardy plants, and reduced plant
height and top weight. Pea aphid resistant
cultivars of alfalfa, Anchor, Dawson, Kanaga,
Messila, Team, and Washoe, as well as aphid-
tolerant Titan, survived eight winters includ-
ing the cold winter of 1979 and can be
considered winter-hardy to southern Alberta
conditions.

Pollinators. In studies with pollinators, a
model has been developed to assess the
population of alfalfa leafcutter bees required
to adequately pollinate alfalfa. It was as-
sumed that the probability of a visit to a
particular flower can be described by a
Poisson distribution in which the mean was
determined jointly by the densities of both
flowers and bees, the visitation rate, the time
available for flower visits, and the overall
probability of a flower being visited or not. In
studies to date, 50 000 bees per hectare were
considered optimum from various ratios of
bee to area tested, with a visitation rate as low
as 1.8 florets per second and florets available
for 6 days.

The pollination requirements for cicer
milkvetch were investigated under caged
tests. The number of seeds produced per pod
varied with the pollinators: Bombus nevaden-
sis Robertson, 7.9; B. appositus Cresson, 6.0;
B. huntii Greene, 5.9; alfalfa leafcutter bees,
3.5; honey bees, 3.3; and pollinators excluded,
0.

An analysis of 19 yr data from several
locations indicated that only 30% of bumble
bee colonies established in artificial domiciles
produced sexuals. In colonies not producing
sexuals, 75% were abandoned before the first
brood of workers was produced and the
inquilene Psithyrus caused only 5% of the
abandonments. In colonies producing workers,
42% losses were caused by Psithyrus.

Chemical control. In studies with mature
alfalfa of insecticide penetration of crop
canopies, 50% more of the applied insecticide

334

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

reached the canopy when applied by ground
equipment than by aircraft. With aircraft
application at 22 and 112 L/ha and with
ground equipment at 56 L/ha, 70% of the
insecticide was recovered from the top 1 5 cm
of the canopy. When ground application was
increased to 112 L/ha, crop canopy penetra-
tion was significantly better. Preliminary tests
on insecticide toxicity to leafcutter bees
indicated the males were more susceptible
than females and contact application was
more toxic than foliar application.

Cutworms

Sex attraciants. The chemical identifica-
tion of pheromone-like compounds contained
in washes from calling females of the red-
backed cutworm showed that seven acetates
were structurally similar to known lepidop-
teran pheromones. These compounds were
identified by high-resolution glass-capillary
gas chromatography coupled with mass spec-
trometry and a recently developed electroan-
tennographic detection system. Field evalua-
tion of several blends of synthetic chemicals
involving the seven acetates established that a
four-component blend attracted the largest
number of male moths. This synthetic sex
pheromone blend provided a species specific,
inexpensive, and extremely sensitive trap bait
for monitoring the population densities of
redbacked cutworm male moths and thus the
prediction of possible larval infestations.
About 3000 dispensers treated with attract-
ants for 1 2 species were provided for monitor-
ing experiments being conducted at six Agri-
culture Canada research stations, in Oregon,
and in Switzerland. These attractants, devel-
oped at Lethbridge, functioned well and
infestations were predicted in three instances.

Density levels of male adults of army,
clover, pale western, and redbacked cutworms
and Leucania commoides Gn. were recorded
in sex attractant traps over a wide area of
southern Alberta for the 2nd yr. Counts were
made for the 1st yr for darksided and varie-
gated cutworm, and for bertha armyworm.
This year, larval densities of the species
recorded in 1978 were extremely low and
were not related to the numbers of adults
collected. However, catches increased by 15-
173% for all species except clover cutworm,
which was reduced by 64%. Moth numbers
based on traps emptied at 2 wk intervals did
not differ significantly from counts at 1 wk

intervals but traps unattended for the whole
flight period were unsatisfactory.

Chemical control. The synthetic pyre-
throids are showing potential as effective
chemicals for cutworm control. Laboratory
tests with eight pyrethroids to control larvae
of army, redbacked, and pale western cut-
worms indicated their relative order of toxic-
ity as oral poisons as: decamethrin (10 times
more toxic than endrin), permethrin, cyper-
methrin, and FMC 26021 (Food Machinery
Corp.) (twice as toxic), AC 222705 (Ameri-
can Cyanamid), fenpropanate, and fenvaler-
ate (1.2-1.5 times) with FMC 18739 (Food
Machinery Corp.) equal to chlorpyrifos and
one-third as toxic as endrin. When the pyre-
throids were tested topically, their toxicity
increased 2-10 times whereas both endrin and
chlorpyrifos were half as toxic as contact
poisons. In greenhouse tests with bare soil and
in limited small plot tests, the pyrethroids at
0.07 kg/ha were as effective as endrin at 0.28
and chlorpyrifos at 0.56 kg/ha.

Grasshoppers

Population studies. The recent decline in
grasshoppers over the period 1974-1978 was
reversed in 1979. The population of adults
increased 76.6% from the province-wide level
of last year. Lightly infested areas (1.2-2.5
grasshoppers per square metre) increased
from 12 611 km2 to 29 013 km2 with this
increase occurring north of the Bow and
South Saskatchewan rivers. South of these
rivers, the areas infested decreased. There was
a decline in areas of moderate infestation
(2.5-5.0 grasshoppers per square metre),
which occurred as small enclaves within
larger lightly infested areas. These moderate
infestations occurred northeast of Lethbridge,
northwest of Empress, and southeast of
Wainwright on the Saskatchewan border.
Late summer and early autumn were warm
and dry, conditions that favor grasshopper
reproduction, suggesting that populations will
be higher in 1980 unless weather conditions
are detrimental for grasshopper survival.

Grasshopper censuses taken over 16 yr at
the Onefour Range Substation near Many-
berries were analyzed. Published information
on the phenologies of the species, their feeding
preferences, the forage value of their diets,
the habitat preferences, and causes of damage
to rangeland were used to assess the potential
for economic damage for 17 of the more
abundant species.

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

335

Chemical control. In laboratory tests with
pyrethroids, control of fifth-stage nymphs of
Melanoplus bivittatus, M. sanguinipes, and
Camnula pellucida was more variable than
that obtained with cutworms. Simulated field
tests in 1979 indicated that fenpropanate at
0.07-0.14 kg/ha controlled nymphs of each
species as effectively as dimethoate at 0.42
kg/ha; fenvalerate and cypermethrin gave
unsatisfactory control of M. bivittatus and C.
pellucida and permethrin was ineffective at
all rates tested.

A significant phytotoxicity in barley was
noted when carbofuran, at grasshopper con-
trol rates, was applied within 5 days of
propanil or when the chemicals were tank
mixed. This phytotoxic effect (leaf yellowing)
increased tillering, delayed maturity, and was
accentuated with reduced soil moisture levels.

Sugar beet insects

Data from a field experiment designed to
forecast levels of larval infestations from
numbers of webworm moths trapped indi-
cated that a high-density population of males,
averaging 780 per trap over a prolonged flight
season, produced a larval infestation causing
significant damage in sugar beets. Larvae
averaging 1 1 .9 per sweep reduced beet yield
by 22 t/ha. Electroantennogram studies indi-
cated that excised antennae of male beet
webworm moths, less than 3 days old, had
weaker responses and shorter reaction life
than did those from older moths. The species-
specific attractant £-ll-tetradecen-l-yl ace-
tate consistently produced stronger antennal
responses than 40 C10 to C16 acetates. Its cis-
isomer, a known inhibitor, produced similar
but weaker reactions.

Potato insects

Studies on the economic threshold of Colo-
rado potato beetle indicated that, in caged
plants, larval populations of 40 larvae per
plant were required to reduce weights of
mature tubers significantly.

Insecticide residues

A microplot field experiment was con-
ducted to determine the persistence and
possible movement of fenvalerate residues in
soil. Initial recovery was 97.5% of the amount
applied at 150 g/ha. Fenvalerate residues
were found to persist mainly in the 0-2.5 cm
layer with a half life of 6 wk. Residue levels in
October (after 16 wk) were 15% of the

amount applied and decreased to 11% the
following spring. Fenvalerate was not readily
leached downward and lateral movement was
minimal. It was concluded that residues were
immobilized by strong adsorption to Leth-
bridge loam and this insecticide would be
environmentally acceptable under southern
Alberta conditions.

No residues of fenitrothion were found in
harvested grain when applied to wheat at
0.56-0.84 kg/ha at 12, 17, and 20 days before
harvest. Residues in straw at harvest con-
tained 20% of the total applied chemical, but
they dissipated rapidly.

ECONOMICS

Poultry

Low-glucosinolate rapeseed meal in diets
of growing turkeys. Low-glucosinolate rape-
seed meal (RSM) can profitably replace some
portion of other high-protein ingredients in
diets of growing turkeys. This economic
analysis has revealed that the most profitable
diets for turkeys up to 14 wk of age contained
between 4.4% and 22.5% RSM. In spite of the
lower energy content of RSM, and thus the
lower growth rate of birds fed diets containing
RSM, it was not always most profitable to
supplement the RSM-based diets with fat.
Under many price conditions studied, max-
imum rates of growth did not coincide with
maximum profit.

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Potato diseases

The effect of humidity and temperature on
the persistence of the potato ring bacterium,
Corynebacterium sepedonicum (Spieck. &
Kotth.) Skapt. & Burkh., on storage surfaces
was determined by bioassay. Ring rot bacteria
were still virulent after 20 mo on jute,
polyethylene, and kraft paper held at 10%
relative humidity (RH) at either 5 or 20°C,
and on plywood at 10% RH and 5°C. How-
ever, the bacteria persisted for only up to 14
mo on plywood at 10% RH and 20°C. Persist-
ence decreased at higher humidities.

Virulent ring rot bacteria were recovered
from dried, infected potato stems of three
cultivars (Netted Gem, Norland, and Warba)
after they had been stored in an unheated
machine shed for 26 mo. These results show

336

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

that ring rot bacteria persisting on contami-
nated surfaces or in infected dried stems can
serve as a source of inoculum unless storage
areas, machinery, or other surfaces are thor-
oughly cleaned and decontaminated.

Forage diseases

The low-temperature-tolerant basidiomy-
cete (LTB) causes significant snow mold
damage to overwintering crops in areas of
Western Canada where snow cover is heavy.
Over the past 40 yr, failure to observe a
reproductive stage in its life cycle has seri-
ously hindered efforts to completely identify
the LTB and to develop satisfactory control
procedures. Small and short-lived fruiting
bodies of an agaricoid basidiomycete were
observed recently on necrotic crowns of
alfalfa in the greenhouse and in the field
where snow mold damage (winter crown rot)
by LTB had been diagnosed. The mushroom
was identified as Coprinus urticicola and was
shown to establish a genetic relationship with
mycelial isolates of the LTB. This compatibil-
ity evidence for the identity of the LTB as C.
urticicola is supported by observed similari-
ties in cultural features such as hyphal
anatomy, colony growth at low temperatures,
and autolytic production of hydrogen cyanide.

Cereal diseases

A bimodal distribution of ratings for com-
mon root rot suggested that Canuck spring
wheat, a sawfly-resistant variety licensed in
1974, might be a mixture with respect to root
rot reaction. That suspicion has now been
confirmed by comparing the reaction of
Canuck Breeder lines in a controlled-environ-
ment root rot test using field soil naturally
infested with conidia of Cochliobolus sativus
(Ito & Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dastur. Of the 98
lines tested, 37 were less susceptible (P <
0.01) and 53 more susceptible than the parent
variety, which had a mean root rot rating of
56%. Of the more resistant lines, 36 were not
different (P > 0.05) from the moderately
resistant check variety, Thatcher, and had a
mean root rot rating of 20%. The 53 suscepti-
ble lines had a mean root rot rating of 83%.
These results indicate that it should be
possible to improve the agronomic perform-
ance of Canuck by reconstituting it using only
the root-rot-resistant lines.

Cold hardening of wheat

When grown under conditions that induce a
high level of hardiness, cold-hardy winter
wheats have shorter leaves with lower water
contents than they do when grown under
nonhardening conditions. Among such plants,
there is a highly significant rank order corre-
lation between cold hardiness and leaf length.

Since cell elongation involves water uptake,
the relationship between water content and
epidermal cell length was examined to test
whether low water content might be the cause
of reduced leaf length. Epidermal cell mea-
surements were used because these cells lie in
long, regular rows on both surfaces of wheat
leaves. Since the reduced leaf length was the
result of a reduction in both cell numbers and
cell lengths, it is evident that low water
content cannot be the only cause of reduced
leaf length. Correlations between the lengths
or numbers of cells in rows of epidermal cells
and cold hardiness of hardy plants were much
poorer than were correlations of either leaf
length or leaf water content and cold hardi-
ness.

Either the length or water content of
hardened leaves could be used in a prelimi-
nary screening test for cold hardiness. Since
leaf-length measurements require little labor,
they should provide a convenient, rapid
method for preliminary rating.

PLANT SCIENCE

Weed control

Dandelion control. In orchardgrass and
Troy Kentucky bluegrass, 2,4-D applied in
the spring and fall of 1978 provided excellent
control of dandelions in 1979. Good control in
1979 was also observed after spring treat-
ments in 1978 with 2,4-D alone (2 kg/ha) or
2,4-D plus dicamba (1.0 + 0.4 kg/ha) and
spring plus fall treatments with 2,4-D alone
(1.0 kg/ha). Additional data are required to
determine whether dandelion control in-
creases grass yields. Velpar was the most
effective herbicide for the control of dandeli-
ons in legumes but only fair control was
achieved.

Shrubby cinque/oil control. Picloram pel-
lets (2.2 kg/ha) or velpar grid balls (4.5 kg/
ha) provided good shrubby cinquefoil control.
Additional data are required to determine
whether shrubby cinquefoil control increases
forage yield.

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

337

Effect of weed control on establishment of
legumes. Alfalfa, sainfoin, and cicer
milkvetch were established in 1978 without
weed control, with chemical weed control, or
under a barley cover crop. The herbicides
used were dichlofop plus 2,4-DB for sainfoin
and alfalfa, and trifluralin plus bromoxynil
for cicer milkvetch. The total yields of the
legumes in 1979 (two cuttings) from the cover
crop, untreated check, and herbicide treat-
ments were: 8680, 9050, and 10 390 kg/ha for
alfalfa; 6440, 8130, and 9980 kg/ha for
sainfoin; and 1510, 2930, and 7018 kg/ha for
cicer milkvetch.

Tolerance of legumes and grasses to new
herbicides. Alfalfa, sainfoin, cicer milkvetch,
and alsike clover were tolerant to ethalfluralin
and EL5261 (Elanco). Bromegrass, Russian
wild rye, and crested wheatgrass were tolerant
to propanil, propanil plus MCPA, and cya-
nazine plus MCPA. Orchardgrass was toler-
ant to only propanil and propanil plus MCPA.
DPC 4189 (DuPont) was toxic to all the
legumes and grasses that were tested.

Sugar beets. Broad-leaved weed control
was excellent with pyrazon. Ethofumesate
gave excellent control of volunteer barley,
good control of green foxtail, and fair control
of broad-leaved weeds. Ethofumesate clearly
required the addition of other herbicides for
reasonably broad spectrum weed control.
Either BAS 9052 (BASF) or dichlofop
methyl as postemergence treatments after
pyrazon as a preplant-incorporated (PPI)
treatment gave outstanding control of green
foxtail and broad-leaved weeds.

Corn. Preplant disc-incorporation of
alachlor, EPTC plus R-25788 (Stauffer), and
metolachlor all gave excellent green foxtail
control while preemergence harrow-incorpo-
ration of metolachlor and alachlor gave only
fair control. As early spring (March) applica-
tions of the latter two chemicals gave only fair
control, they are probably not suitable for fall
application. Atrazine (0.8 kg/ha) gave excel-
lent broad-leaved weed control. Postemer-
gence application of 2,4-D ester, 2,4-D amine,
dicamba, and bromoxynil all gave very little
or no injury to corn.

Potatoes. Metribuzin plus EPTC (0.6 + 3
kg/ha) gave 90% control of broad-leaved
weeds. A tank mix of metribuzin plus meto-
lachlor (0.6 + 2.5 kg/ha) gave only 60-70%

weed control. Metolachlor plus meto-
bromuron (2 -I- 1.25 kg/ha) as a PPI treat-
ment, metribuzin (0.6 kg/ha) PPI, and EPTC
(4 kg/ha) PPI all provided at least 80%
control of wild buckwheat and lamb's-
quarters.

Sorghum. Atrazine incorporated with a
disc provided very good control of volunteer
barley even at 0.84 kg/ha. Pre- or post-
emergence surface applications of atrazine
gave very poor control of volunteer barley.
Sorghum showed variable tolerance to di-
camba, dichlofop methyl, and difenzoquat.

Rapeseed. Rapeseed treated with dinitra-
mine (0.8 kg/ha) and ethalfluralin (0.8 kg/
ha) showed about 10-15% thinning on a
Lethbridge 1.5% OM soil. Both showed
higher broad-leaved activity and better volun-
teer barley control than trifluralin.

Growth and development of Myriophyllum
spicatum. Controlled environment chamber
studies have shown that Eurasian water-
milfoil {Myriophyllum spicatum) exhibits
two seasonal growth forms. The summer
growth form occurs from about 15°C up to
25-26°C and is characterized by a fine,
hairlike root system and rapid top growth
(2.5-3.7 cm/day). Flowering occurs at water
temperatures of 25°C or higher and light
intensities in excess of 2.5 klx (16 h photope-
riod). The winter growth form occurs at water
temperatures below 14°C and growth contin-
ues down to 6°C. Maximum winter vegetative
growth occurs at 10°C with a coarse, fibrous
root growth and a deeply red pigmented top
that grows slowly. Growth continues at light
levels as low as 1.1-2.2 klx (7 h photoperiod).
This winter growth develops adventitious
roots at 14°C and the branches then abscise.
This autofragmentation at spring water tem-
peratures produces a new inoculum for future
infestations. Control may be possible through
mechanical and chemical techniques applied
in the fall and early winter to kill existing
plants and remove potential infestation.

Special crops

Screening soybeans for resistance to shat-
tering. Resistance to pod shattering at matur-
ity in the field is essential for maximizing
soybean yields and successful soybean varie-
ties must be shattering-resistant. A laboratory
method was developed to screen lines for
resistance to shattering. Plants of soybean
lines to be tested were grown in a growth

338

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

cabinet under high humidity, and pods from
mature plants were cut and subjected to the
shattering test on the same day. In the
shattering test, a compressive force was
applied to the pods, held by their stem, until
they broke open. The breaking force was
recorded on a strip chart on which high peaks
imply shattering resistance and low peaks,
shattering susceptibility. As pod moisture
content influences the force needed to break
pods, moisture was measured and adjusted
for. A typical shattering-resistant line re-
quired a force of 1 .7 kg to break the mature
pods, while a shattering-susceptible line re-
quired a force of only 0.6 kg. Those lines
requiring the highest force to break open the
pods can thus be selected as shattering-
resistant. In this way, all shattering-suscepti-
ble lines can be removed early in a breeding
program thus permitting yield testing of only
those lines that show promise of becoming
high-yielding, shattering-resistant varieties.

Resistance to 'hollow heart' in potato. The
growth patterns of Viking, a potato cultivar
resistant to 'hollow heart,"' and Norgold
Russet, a susceptible cultivar, were studied
over an 8 wk period to establish growth
characteristics associated with susceptiblility.
At 1 wk intervals during this period, the leaf
area and dry weights of tuber, stem, and leaf
were measured. To establish the responses of
the two cultivars to moisture stress, a growth
chamber experiment was conducted. Six
weeks after planting, 12 plants were selected
for foliage uniformity and a drought period
imposed until wilting occurred. Leaf water
potential measurements were made, using a
pressure chamber, during the period of max-
imum daily stress. Data from this study
suggest that a major factor associated with
resistance in Viking is the ability to attain a
far higher leaf water potential than Norgold
Russet before wilting occurs. This may also be
associated with the superior net assimilation
rates observed in Viking. Tuber growth rate
does not appear to be a factor contributing to
the differing susceptibility in these two
cultivars.

Sunflower hybridization. Three back-
crosses of interspecific hybrids of Helianthus
petiolaris Nutt. x H. annuus L. by cultivated
sunflower (H. annuus) eliminated meiotic
abnormalities evident in the original F, hy-
brids and early backcross generations, and
induced male sterility. In vivo pollen germina-
tion and pollination tests of male-sterile plants

were normal. Crosses of the male-sterile
plants with seven sources of pollen-fertility
restorer and one collection of wild H. annuus
indicated that the sterility was cytoplasmic
and different from that presently used in
hybrid sunflower production. The inheritance
of restoration of pollen shed was complex.
Some data indicated that two independent,
complementary, dominant genes were re-
quired, but others suggested two or three
independent, dominant genes.

A second new source of cytoplasmic male
sterility was found in backcross plants of
interspecific hybrids from the three-way cross
(H. giganteus L. x wild H. annuus) x
cultivated sunflower. Two of three restorer
sources tested failed to restore pollen shed of
male-sterile plants.

Potential male sterility also occurred in
backcross plants of interspecific hybrids of the
three-way cross (H. maximiliani Schrad. x
wild H. annuus) x cultivated sunflower. The
anthers of some plants were highly modified
and shed little or no pollen. Trisomie (2n +
1) plants with normal anthers also were
found. Seed weight of trisomie plants was
significantly greater than that of diploid sibs;
oil content also tended to be higher.

Corn

Variability and trends of corn heat units.
Seasonal accumulations of corn heat units
(CHU) were calculated from temperature
records of 85 stations in Alberta, Saskatche-
wan, and Manitoba. The number of years of
data varied from 16 to 72. The objectives of
the study were to determine how many years
of data were necessary to obtain a reliable
estimate of CHU for each station and to
examine possible CHU trends with time.
Stein's two-stage sampling technique was
used to show that about 20 yr of data should
be used to obtain a reliable estimate of the
location mean. When years were taken at
random, the number of years of data needed
for a location was larger than when taken in
sequence. Statistically significant indications
of trends in CHU with time were found for
only about 11% of the stations. Year-to-year
variability was considerably greater than any
possible trends in the last century. Means and
standard errors of the deviations from the 30
yr mean (1943-1972) were calculated for all
stations. Although these data were not inde-
pendent because of their geographic proxim-
ity, there was an indication that CHU totals

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

339

have changed in the past half-century. How-
ever, future changes in the CHU totals could
not be predicted.

Effect of paraquat-simulated frost on
growth and development of corn grain. Four
corn hybrids grown at Lethbridge in 1975,
1976, and 1977 were sprayed with paraquat
to simulate killing frosts. Paraquat produced
symptoms similar to those of a first killing
frost. Interactions among hybrids and treat-
ments were rare for characteristics such as
grain yield, test weight, and kernel moisture
content. The most pronounced effect of
paraquat was that yield was reduced by about
1000 kg/ha for each week before maturity
that the simulated frost occurred. Develop-
ment was not affected as much as yield.
Treatments that resulted in a yield reduction
of 60% caused only a 15% reduction in test
weight. Kernel development was closely re-
lated to the accumulation of growing degree-
days with a base of 12°C. The simulated frost
treatment resulted in a higher kernel moisture
content immediately after the treatment, but
a slightly higher rate of moisture loss resulted
in the 'frost' treatments catching up to the
checks and finally having a slightly lower
moisture content than the checks. The earlier
it was imposed, the greater was the reduction
in growth rate of grain caused by the simu-
lated frost treatments. In addition, a very
early simulated frost resulted in a longer
effective filling period duration (EFPD), and
a later imposition of the simulated frost
caused a reduction in the EFPD compared to
the check treatments. Cob moisture content
was relatively constant and decreased at a
faster rate than kernel moisture content only
after kernel moisture content reached 40%.

Forage crops

Cold hardiness and vigor of an alfalfa
stand. The effect on cold hardiness of certain
management practices commonly used in
southern Alberta was studied for 3 yr. The
treatments included applying the last irri-
gation on 15 August, or on 15 October, or not
irrigating the plots at all (dry land). Superim-
posed on these irrigation treatments were
various cutting schedules; three cuts per
season with the last cutting date 15 Septem-
ber or 10 October was compared to two cuts
per season with the same last cutting dates.
Plants were dug up on two occasions in the
late fall of 1978 and submitted to freezing
tests to determine their cold hardiness. The

various management treatments apparently
had no effect on cold hardiness. Total yields
were significantly higher from plots cut three
times than from plots cut twice per season.
The plots were cut on 7 June 1979 to
determine the effect of the previous 3 yr of
treatments on spring vigor. From the yields, it
was evident that a three-cut schedule with the
last cut on 15 September significantly reduced
the vigor of spring growth, whereas a two-cut
schedule with the last cut on 15 September
had no detrimental effect. The various irri-
gation treatments had no effect on spring
growth.

From this study, it can be concluded that if
alfalfa is to be cut three times a season,
cutting dates near 15 September should be
avoided as this practice will reduce the vigor
of the stand. If only two cuts are taken per
season, the date of the second cut is less
important.

Forage production of some native range
sites. Forage production of native range was
monitored over a 10 yr period on 22 sites in
southern Alberta. Annual variations in dry
matter yields were generally low at each site,
but six distinct types of rangeland vegetation
were detected. Stocking rates calculated on
the basis of dry matter production on these
sites, which were protected from grazing,
were greatly overestimated when compared to
dry matter production figures from grazing
studies. Further study showed that when
stocking rates were based on dry matter yields
obtained on moderately grazed areas, the
values were very similar to those obtained in
grazing trials. Subsequent studies indicated
that dry matter production on grazed areas
was only 40% of that on ungrazed or pro-
tected areas and that stocking rate estimates
should be based on 40% of the average forage
production obtained on ungrazed or protected
areas. The stocking rate estimates also were
more realistic when based on total yield of the
vegetation than when based on only the grass
component of the vegetation.

Influence of drying methods on protein
content and amino acid composition. Plant
materials are usually dried before being
analyzed for organic or inorganic constitu-
ents. Drying prevents changes in composition
through respiration and other physiological
activity and allows comparisons among sam-
ples to be expressed on a moisture-free basis.
In some cases, however, drying methods may
influence the end results. To study the effect

340

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

of three methods of drying on amino acid
composition, forage samples of alfalfa, sain-
foin, and cicer milkvetch were dried in a
forced-draft forage dryer, a drying oven, or a
microwave oven. Dry matter content, protein
content, and amino acid composition were
determined. The air-drying methods resulted
in significant losses of dry matter compared
with microwave drying, suggesting that the
latter method is preferable for dry matter
determinations. Interactions between species
and drying method were significant for some
of the amino acids but not for methionine,
isoleucine, or valine, which are nutritionally
limiting for monogastrics. Since protein
scores, reflecting protein quality, and protein
content of the three legumes were not affected
by drying methods, any one of the methods
would be satisfactory. However, large num-
bers of forage samples can be handled most
conveniently in a forced-draft dryer.

SOIL SCIENCE

Environmental quality

Waste water irrigation. Forage plots have
been irrigated with municipal waste water for
8 yr at Taber, Alta. Maximum utilization
rates of waste water, which supplied the crop
water requirements, provided adequate P but
insufficient N for grass forage production.
Alfalfa had higher yields and higher N
uptake than reed canarygrass or bromegrass.
Grass yields were similar to yield of the
alfalfa when double the irrigation rate and N
plus P fertilizer were supplied. Soluble salts
were leached out of the soil at both irrigation
rates and total salt content of the ground-
water was reduced.

Rendering plant waste water used to irri-
gate forage plots near Lethbridge for 3 yr
supplied excess N and P for plant growth.
Forage yields from waste water irrigated plots
were similar to those receiving irrigation
water and N plus P fertilizer, and greater
than those receiving only irrigation water or
water plus soluble carbon. Without supple-
mental fertilizer, grass yields were restricted
by lack of N; alfalfa yield was reduced to a
lesser degree, probably due to lack of P.

Nutrient levels of surface and ground-
waters: Effect of feedlots. Surface and
groundwaters have been monitored at four
cattle feedlots in southern Alberta since 1974.
Two feedlots were near streams, one was near

a lake, and one was not near any surface body
of water. There was no evidence of pollution
of the streams and lake with N, P, and salts
from the feedlot effluent, even though the
potential exists. Runoff was not a major
problem at any of the locations because of the
capacity for manure to adsorb and retain
large amounts of water before drainage
occurred and because most of the pens were
on flat land or had restrictions that held most
of the excess water in place. Isolated and
erratic incidences of N and P contamination
of groundwater were found, but did not seem
to pose a threat to the environment.

Soil-crop relationship

Seeding equipment for zero tillage. The
effectiveness of several commercial seeders
was assessed on a silt loam soil at Lethbridge
over a 7 yr period on fields receiving chemical
weed control instead of tillage. The double-
and triple-disc press drills generally failed to
penetrate untilled surfaces when surface
residue exceeded about 3700 kg/ha. Hoe
openers penetrated the soil satisfactorily but
failed to clear heavy residues when stubble
and straw lengths were excessive (> 25 cm).
In 2 of 7 yr, yields of spring wheat on plots
seeded with the double- and triple-disc drills
were greater than those seeded with the wide-
spaced hoe drill (1159 versus 721 kg/ha in
1969, and 667 versus 573 kg/ha in 1973).
Yield differences were primarily due to wild
oats, which germinated because of the tillage
action of hoe openers.

Response of Gait barley to irrigation,
applied fertilizers, and magnetic seed treat-
ment. Gait barley grown from magnetically
treated seed on well-fertilized irrigated land
produced about 5300 kg/ha, or 31 kg/ha more
than that grown from nontreated seed on dry
land of low fertility. On the average, magnetic
seed treatment accounted for about 11% of
the increase in yield. Magnetic treatment had
the greatest effect under irrigated and fertil-
ized conditions (17% increase) and least on
fertilized dry land (4% increase).

Effect of dry land rotations on decomposi-
tion of organic matter. Individual rotations
had little effect on the chemical composition
of organic residues on the soil surface but had
a marked effect on the decomposition and
nature of subsurface plant residues over a 19
mo period. The cultivated soils after 63 yr
contained 47% less C, 46% less N, 53% less

RESEARCH STATION. LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

341

polysaccharides, 100% more solvent-extract-
able C, 49r7 more resin-extractable C, and a
slightly higher pH than the soil from the
adjacent native grassland.

Soil properties of native range. Gas chro-
matographic patterns of organic-solvent-
soluble constituents present in alkaline hy-
drolysates of organic matter (OM) from soils
underlying native range and crested wheat-
grass are qualitatively but not quantitatively
similar. The major peak, with a retention time
of about 31 min, was identified as bis(2-
ethylhexyl) phthalate. Larger quantities of
the extracted compounds were obtained from
the native range than from the crested wheat-
grass soils. Fifty years was not long enough
for OM of soil cultivated for only 5 yr to
regain its original quantitative chemical
composition under the prevailing climatic
conditions.

Associative dinitrogen fixation with wheat.
The modification of the genotype of Cadet
and Rescue cultivars of spring wheat by
disomic chromosome substitution altered the
amount of plant N derived from associated N2
fixation. With the exception of the C-R5B
lines, inoculation of the parent Cadet or its
substitution lines with either Bacillus poly-
myxa or Azospirillum brasilense increased
plant dry matter and total N yield in a
phytotron experiment. Rescue lines were
unaffected by inoculation unless genotypically
altered by substitution of the 5B or 5D
chromosomes from Cadet. Different substitu-
tion lines reacted uniquely to inoculation with
the specific bacteria: C-R2A and R-C2D
promoted greater N2 fixation by A. brasilense
but C-R5D, R-C5B, and R-C5D encouraged
greater N, fixation by B. polymyxa. Both
bacteria had high and identical levels of N2
fixation with the C-R2D lines, and neither
bacterium fixed N2 when grown in association
with the C-R5B, Rescue, or R-C2A lines. The
ability of these lines to support N2 fixation in
the field was inhibited by the presence of soil
N, but 15N analyses indicated that inoculation
increased the N yield of selected lines by 10-
15%.

Dinitrogen fixation by rhizobia of beans.
Eleven cultivars of common bean inoculated
with a commercial strain of Rhizcbium
phaseoli were grown in an N-free medium at
two temperature regimes corresponding to
mid-May or early June seedings. Time of

seeding affected N2 fixation: early June seed-
ings fixed more N2 than mid-May seedings
when grown for the same period of time.
Cultivars differed in their abilities to support
N2 fixation and the amount of N2 fixed was
correlated with leaf area and leaf and shoot
weights. It is proposed that the relationship
between N2 fixation and these quantitative
yield characters may help bean breeders in
selecting plants with superior N2-fixing abili-
ties. Redkloud, a kidney bean, was the best
fixer at both temperature regimes. Several of
the smaller beans were as efficient, on a
weight basis, as the larger seeded ones.

Growth habit of the cultivars, whether
determinate or indeterminate, climbing or
bush, gave no specific advantage in N2 fixation
under the conditions of the experiment. Nor
was there any relationship between the cold
temperature tolerance and the N2 fixed in the
plant.

Irrigated soils

Sixty-six-year trends in irrigated crop
yields. Spring wheat, barley, and oats have
been grown each year in an irrigated 10 yr
rotation since 1910. The regression coeffi-
cients of wheat, barley, and oat yields were
calculated to be 0.020, 0.061, and 0.034 t/ha
per year based on 66 yr data. Yield increases
with time were attributed mainly to the
introduction of new cultivars. In recent years,
barley has outyielded oats and wheat (utility
wheat excluded) on a unit-weight basis even
though barley yields were the lowest of the
three cereals when the rotation began. The
relationships between yield and various cli-
matic variables were also studied for each of
the three cereal crops. The climatic variables
and date of harvest had virtually no effect on
yield. Wheat yields were enhanced when
seeding took place during the last 13 days of
April compared to those when the crop was
seeded during the first 13 days of May.

Salinity of irrigated soil. Thirteen sites
across southern Alberta were selected to study
the effects of long-term irrigation on soil
salinity. Of the 13 sampling sites, 10 have
been under irrigation for more than 50 yr and
the others for 26 yr. In 1978, soil samples
were taken at regular depth intervals to at
least 150 cm. The total soluble salt content of
the soil was determined either by evaporating
the filtrate to dryness or by measuring electri-
cal conductivity (EC3) of the saturation
extract. In general, the total soluble salt

342

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

content of the soil in the root zone decreased
except at sites in Hays, Tempest, and Leth-
bridge, where the salt content was essentially
unchanged or slightly increased after long-
term irrigation. Apparently, irrigation agri-
culture in this region can be sustained under
present management, without soils becoming
seriously saline.

Comparative production of sorghum and
barley. In a 2 yr study at Vauxhall, both
sorghum and barley responded to irrigation
even when precipitation was relatively high
and well distributed. Sorghum required irri-
gation longer and thus used an average of

25% more water than barley. Both crops also
responded to increasing rates of N up to 80
kg/ha but barley made best use of N on dry
land. Sorghum required irrigation throughout
its extended growing season to effectively
utilize increasing rates of N fertilizer. In
1978, barley produced 20% more grain than
sorghum; but in 1979, under optimum cli-
matic and agronomic conditions for sorghum,
barley and sorghum grain production were
equal at 6600 kg/ha. Any varietal im-
provement or any price or disposal advantage
that favors sorghum will provide a further
inducement to grow this crop as an alternate
to barley.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bole, J. B.; Wells, S. A. 1979. Dryland soil salinity:
Effect on the yield and yield components of
6-row barley, 2-row barley, wheat, and oats.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:11-17.

Bowden, D. M.; Kozub, G. C. 1979. Variations in
blood composition of non-pregnant Hereford
and Angus heifers fed individually in con-
finement on two levels of energy intake. Can. J.
Anim. Sci. 59:663-674.

Cheng, K.-J.; Bailey, C. B. M.; Hironaka, R.;
Costerton, J. W. 1979. A technique for deple-
tion of bacteria adherent to the epithelium of
the bovine rumen. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:207-
209.

Cheng, K.-J.; Bailey, C. B.; Hironaka, R.; Coster-
ton, J. W. 1979. Bloat in feedlot cattle: Effects
on rumen function of adding 4% sodium
chloride to concentrate diet. Can. J. Anim. Sci.

59:737-747.

Cheng, K.-J.; Dinsdale, D.; Stewart, C. S. 1979.
Maceration of clover and grass leaves by
Lachnospira multiparus. Appl. Environ. Mi-
crobiol. 38:723-729.

Cheng, K.-J.; McCowan, R. P.; Costerton, J. W.
1979. Adherent epithelial bacteria in rumi-
nants and their roles in digestive tract function.
Am. J.Clin. Nutr. 32:139-148.

Cheng, K.-J.; Wallace, R. J. 1979. The mechanism
of passage of endogenous urea through the
rumen wall and the role of ureolytic epithelial
bacteria in urea from flux. Br. J. Nutr. 42:553-

557.

Cho, C. M.; Sakdinan, L.; Chang, C. 1979. Denitri-
fication intensity and capacity of three irri-
gated Alberta soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.
43:945-950.

Cihlar, J.; Sommerfeldt, T.; Patterson, B. 1979.
Soil water content estimation in fallow fields
from air-borne thermal scanner measurements.
Can. J. Remote Sensing 5:18-32.

Coulter, G. H.; Foote, R. H. 1979. Bovine testicular
measurements as indicators of reproductive
performance and their relationship to produc-
tive traits in cattle: A review. Theriogenology
11:297-311.

Coutts, R. T.; Benderly, A.; Mak, A. L. C; Taylor,
W. G. 1978. Synthesis of two in vivo metab-
olites of TV-(n-propyl) phentermine. Can. J.
Chem. 56:3054.

Dormaar, J. F. 1979. Alkaline cupric oxide oxida-
tion of roots and alkaline-extractable organic
matter of Chernozemic soils. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:27-35.

Dormaar, J. F. 1979. Organic matter characteris-
tics of undisturbed and cultivated Cherno-
zemic and Solonetzic Ah horizons. Can. J. Soil
Sci. 59:349-356.

Dormaar, J. F.; Pittman, U. J.; Spratt, E. D. 1979.
Burning crop residues: Effect on selected soil
characteristics and long-term wheat yields.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:79-86.

Dorrell, D. G.; Whelan, E. D. P. 1978. Chemical
and morphological characteristics of seeds of
some sunflower species. Crop Sci. 1 8:969-97 1 .

Dubetz, S.; Gardiner, E. E. 1979. Effect of nitrogen
fertilizer treatments on the amino acid compo-
sition of Neepawa wheat. Cereal Chem.
56:166-168.

Dubetz, S.; Gardiner, E. E.; Flynn, D.; de la Roche,
A. I. 1979. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on
nitrogen fractions and amino acid composition
of spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:299-305.

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBR1DGE, ALTA.

343

Dubet7. S.; Oosterveld, M. 1979. Sixty-six-year
trends in irrigated crop yields — barley, wheat,
and oats. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:685-689.

Fay. J. P.; Cheng, K.-J.; Costerton, J. W. 1979.
Production of alkaline phosphatase by epithe-
lial cells and adherent bacteria in the bovine
rumen and abomasum. Can. J. Microbiol.
25:932-936.

Freyman, S.; Hamman, W. M. 1979. Effect of
phenoxy herbicides on cold hardiness of winter
wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:237-240.

Freyman. S.; Kaldy, M. S. 1979. Relationship of
soil fertility to cold hardiness of winter wheat
crowns. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:853-855.

Freyman, S.; Kemp, G. A.; Wilson, D. B. 1979.
Growth of bean accessions at various tempera-
tures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:81-85.

Hamman, W. M. 1979. Field confirmation of an
index for predicting yield loss of wheat and
barley due to wild oat competition. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:243-244.

Harper, A. M.; Freyman, S. 1979. Effect of the pea
aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera:
Aphididae), on cold-hardiness of alfalfa. Can.
Entomol. 111:635-636.

Hironaka, R.; Kimura, N.; Kozub, G. C. 1979.
Influence of feed particle size on rate and
efficiency of gain, characteristics of rumen
fluid and rumen epithelium, and numbers of
rumen protozoa. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:395-
402.

Hironaka, R.; Sonntag, B. H.; Kozub, G. C. 1979.
Effects of feeding programs and diet energy on
rate of gain, efficiency of digestible energy
utilization, and carcass grades of steers. Can.
J. Anim. Sci. 59:385-394.

Holmes, N. D.; Smith, D. S.; Johnston, A. 1979.
Effect of grazing by cattle on the abundance of
grasshoppers on fescue grassland. J. Range
Manage. 32:310-311.

Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P.; Fay, J. P.; Cheng,
K.-J. 1979. Digestion of bloat-causing and
bloat-safe legumes. Ann. Rech. Vet. 10:332-
334.

Johnson, D. R.; Major, D. J. 1979. Harvest index of
soybeans as affected by planting date and
maturity rating. Agron. J. 71:538-541.

Kaldy, M. S.; Hanna, M. R.; Smoliak, S. 1979.
Amino acid composition of sainfoin forage.
Grass Forage Sci. 34:145-148.

Kaldy, M. S.; Hanna, R. R.; Smoliak, S. 1979.
Influence of drying methods on protein content
and amino acid composition of three forage
legumes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:707-712.

Kaldy, M. S.; Harper, A. M. 1979. Nutrient
constituents of a grain aphid, Metopolophium
dirhodum (Homoptera: Aphididae), and its
host, oats. Can. Entomol. 1 1 1 :787-790.

Kaldy, M. S.; Kereliuk, G. R. 1979. Rapid evapora-
tion of oxidized protein samples for methionine
and cystine analysis. Lab. Pract. 28:843-844.

Keller, D. G.; Smith, V. G.; Coulter, G. H.; King,
G. J. 1979. Serum growth hormone concentra-
tion in Hereford and Angus calves: Effects of
breed, sire, sex, age, age of dam, and diet. Can.
J. Anim. Sci. 59:367-373.

Kemp, G. A. 1979. Interaction and inheritance of
sub-optimal temperature interference with
photonastic response of leaves of Phaseolus
vulgaris L. Euphytica 28:425-433.

Klein, K. K. 1979. Minimizing absolute vs. squared
deviations for predicting western, regional, and
national hog supplies in Canada. Can. J. Agric.
Econ. 27(3):74-84.

Klein, K. K. 1979. The economics of warble fly
control. Can. Farm Econ. 14(4):20-27.

Klein, K. K.; Salmon, R. E.; Larmond, M. E. 1979.
A linear programming model for determining
the optimum level of low glucosinolate rape-
seed meal in diets of growing turkeys. Can. J.
Agric. Econ. 27(3):61-73.

Lindquist, E. E.; Ainscough, B. D.; Clulow, F. V.;
Funk, R.C.; Marshall, V. G.; Nesbitt, H. H. J.;
Oconnor, B. M.; Smith, I. M.; Wilkinson, P. R.
1979. Pages 252-290 in H. V. Danks, ed.
Canada and its insect fauna. Mem. Entomol.
Soc. Can. 108. 573 pp.

Lutwick, L. E.; Smith, A. D. 1979. Yield and N
uptake by seven perennial grass species as
affected by high rates of N fertilizer. J. Range
Manage. 32:433-436.

Major, D. J.; Hanna, M. R.; Smoliak, S.; Grant, R.
1979. Estimating nodule activity of sainfoin,
alfalfa, and cicer milkvetch seedlings. Agron.
J. 71:983-985.

McCowan, R. P.; Cheng, K.-J.; Costerton, J. W.
1979. Colonization of a portion of the bovine
tongue by unusual filamentous bacteria. Appl.
Environ. Microbiol. 37:1224-1229.

McDonald, S. 1979. Evaluation of insecticides for
control of the army cutworm. J. Econ. Ento-
mol. 72:277-280.

Moyer, J. R. 1979. Soil organic matter, moisture,
and temperature: Effect on wild oats control
with trifluralin. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:763-768.

Moyer, J. R.; Dryden, R. D. 1979. Wild oats, green
foxtail, and broad-leaved weeds: Control and
effect on corn yields at Brandon, Manitoba.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:383-389.

344

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Moyer, J. R.; Drydcn, R. D.; Chow, P. N. P. 1979.
Effect of barban and flamprop methyl with
solution nitrogen on wheat, wild oats and green
foxtail. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:351-356.

Moyer, J. R.; Smoliak, S.; Johnston, A. 1979.
Tolerance of seedling cicer milkvetch to her-
bicides. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1 1 55-1 1 57.

Nelson, G. A. 1979. Persistence of Corynebacte-
rium sepedonicum in soil and in buried potato
stems. Am. Potato J. 56:71-77.

Nelson, W. A.; Bell, J. F.; Stewart, S. J. 1979.
Polyplax serrata: Cutaneous cytologic reac-
tions in mice that do (CFW strain) and do not
(C57BL strain) develop resistance to lice. Exp.
Parasitol. 48:259-264.

Oosterveld, M.; Carefoot, J. M. 1979. Water and
salt transfers in an irrigation district. J. Irrig.
Drain. Div. (ASCE) 105:197-204.

Oosterveld, M.; McMullin, R. W. 1979. Inflow-
outflow of nutrients and sediment for a flood-
and a sprinkler-irrigated watershed in Alberta.
Can. J. Soil Sci. 59:177-182.

Pittman, U. J.; Carefoot, J. M.; Ormrod, D. P.
1979. Effect of magnetic seed treatment on
amylolytic activity of quiescent and germinat-
ing barley and wheat seeds. Can. J. Plant Sci.
59:1007-1011.

Rennie, R. J.; Larson, R. I. 1979. Dinitrogen
fixation associated with disomic chromosome
substitution lines of spring wheat. Can. J. Bot.

57:2271-2775.

Roberts, D. W. A. 1979. Changes in the proportions
of two forms of invertase associated with the
cold acclimation of wheat. Can. J. Bot. 57:41 3-
419.

Roberts, D. W. A. 1979. Duration of hardening and
cold hardiness in winter wheat. Can. J. Bot.
57:1511-1517.

Salmon, R. E.; Klein, K. K.; Larmond, E. 1979.
Low glucosinolate rapeseed meal in turkey
broiler diets of varying nutrient density. Poult.
Sci. 58:1514-1523.

Steck, W. F.; Struble, D. L.; Lilly, C. E.; Chisholm,
M. D.; Underhill, E. W.; Swailes, G. E. 1979.
A sex attractant for males of the early cut-
worm, Euxoa tristicula (Lepidoptera: Noctui-
dae). Can. Entomol. 1 1 1:337-341.

Stewart, C. S.; Dinsdale, D.; Cheng, K.-J.; Pani-
agua, C. 1979. The digestion of straw in the
rumen. Pages 123-130 in E. Grossbard, ed.
Straw decay and its effect on utilization and
disposal. J. Wiley, N.Y.

Swailes, G. E.; Struble, D. L. 1979. Variation in
catches with sex attractant of the clover
cutworm, Scotogramma trifolii, and army
cutworm, Euxoa auxiliaris (Lepidoptera:

Noctuidae), due to trap location. Can. Ento-
mol. 111:11-14.

Taylor, W. G. 1979. Hydroxylation of 6-methyl-
5-hepten-2-one ethylene ketal with selenium
dioxide and with the Wittig reaction. J. Org.
Chem. 44:1020-1022.

Taylor, W. G.; Coutts, R. T. 1979. Preparation of
two metabolites of isometheptene. Can. J.
Chem. 57:2103-2107.

Townsend, C. E.; Remmenga, E. E.; Dewald, C. L.;
Ditterline, R. L.; Melton, B. A.; Smoliak, S.
1979. Evaluation of seedling emergence in
cicer milkvetch by linear regression. Crop Sci.
19:694-697.

Vesely, J. A.; Peters, H. F. 1979. Lamb growth
performance of certain pure breeds and their
2-, 3-, and 4-breed crosses. Can. J. Anim. Sci.
59:349-357.

Wallace, R. J.; Cheng, K.-J.; Dinsdale, D.; 0rskov,
E. R. 1979. An independent microbial flora of
the epithelium and its role in the ecomicrobiol-
ogy of the rumen. Nature 279:424-426.

Whelan, E. D. P. 1978. Hybridization between
annual and perennial diploid species of Helian-
thus. Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 20:523-530.

Whelan, E. D. P. 1979. Interspecific hybrids
between Helianthus petiolaris Nutt. and H.
annuus L.: Effect of backcrossing on meiosis.
Euphytica 28:297-308.

Zentner, R. P.; Lindwall, C. W. 1978. An economic
assessment of zero tillage in wheat-fallow
rotations in southern Alberta. Can. Farm
Econ. 13(6):l-6.

Zentner, R. P.; Sonntag, B. H.; Bole, J. B.; Pittman,
U. J. 1979. An economic assessment of dryland
cropping programs in Western Canada: Ex-
pected net incomes and resource requirements.
Can. Farm Econ. 14(4):8-19.

Miscellaneous

Allan, J. R. 1979. Water quality and algae control.
Canadex 754.

Bailey, C. B. 1979. Prevention of silica urolithiasis
in cattle by increasing the intake of water.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:826 (Abstract).

Bergen, P.; Hamman, W. M. 1979. Guide to
chemical control in Alberta — 1979: Sugar
beets. Alta. Agric. Agdex 171/642-1.

Biederbeck, V. O.; Bole, J. B. 1979. Dispersal of
sewage microorganisms during spray irrigation
and response of soil microflora to effluent
application. In Proc. Tech. Transfer Semin.
Effluent irrigation under prairie conditions. 35
pp.

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

345

Bole, J. B. 1979. Land application of municipal
sewage waste water: Changes in soil chemistry.
Agron. Abstr. 71:41.

Bole, J. B.; Biederbeck, V. O. 1979. Soil and plant
response to wastewater irrigation: Nutrient
uptake and plant productivity. In Proc. Tech.
Transfer Semin. Effluent irrigation under prai-
rie conditions. 21 pp.

Bowden, D. M. 1979. Feed utilization for calf
production by F, crossbred beef heifers. Can. J.
Anim. Sci. 59:825 (Abstract).

Bowden, D. M. 1979. Preweaning growth of beef
calves. Canadex 420.50.

Bowden, D. M.; Hironaka, R.; Martin, P. J.;
Young, B. A. 1979. Feeding beef cows and
heifers. Agric. Can. Publ. 1670. 50 pp.

Cheng, K.-J.; Hanna, M. R.; Howarth, R.; Fay, J.
P.; Costerton, J. W. 1979. An in vitro micro-
bial digestion model that may assess the
tendency of forage legumes to cause bloat.
Proc. Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Microbiol.
79:147.

Chow, P. N. P.; Piloski, A.; Moyer, J. R. 1979.
Crop tolerance to herbicides. Canadex 641.

Coulter, G. H. 1978. Implications of testicular size
on breeding soundness evaluations of young
beef bulls. Page 88 in Proc. Annu. Meet. Soc.
Theriogenol.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. All bulls are not created equal
nor can they create equally. Can. Hereford
Dig. 36(7):12, 175.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Be concerned about the
testicular size of your bulls. Shorthorn News
40(1 ):22.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Bull fertility or futility. Can.
Charolais Banner 13(5):46, 48, 50.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Effect of breed and plane of
nutrition on scrotal total lipid in beef bulls.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:836 (Abstract).

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Getting the job done. Can.
Charolais Banner 1 3(6): 1 4, 16.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Help assess your bull with
measurements. The Cattleman 65(10):38, 58,
60.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. How to measure scrotal
circumference. Canadex 420.30.

Coulter, G. H. 1979. Influence of bovine seminal
plasma on glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
activity in egg yolk-citrate diluent following
rcfreezing to -40 °C. Page 288 in Proc. 21st
Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. (Abstract).

Coulter, G. H. 1979. The bull and the $1000 cow.
Proc. Alta. Cattle Comm. Semin., Olds, Alta.
10 pp.

Coulter, G. H.; Keller, D. G. 1979. Scrotal circum-
ference and its heritability in yearling beef
bulls. Page 288 in Proc. 21st Annu. Meet. Am.
Soc. Anim. Sci. (Abstract).

Croome, G. C. R.; Holmes, N. D., eds. 1979.
Research highlights — 1978. Agric. Can. Res.
Stn., Lethbridge, Alta. 94 pp.

Dormaar, J. F.; Johnston, A.; Smoliak, S. 1979.
Soil changes under crested wheatgrass. Can.
Agric. 24(1 ):9- 10.

Dubetz, S.; Bole, J. B. 1979. The role of plant
nutrients in potato production and the poten-
tial role of soil supplements. Pages 58-63 in
Proc. 7th Annu. Meet. Prairie Potato Counc.

Ennen, B. D.; Coulter, G. H.; Gardiner, E. E. 1979.
Influence of egg quality on sperm survival.
Page 295 in Proc. 21st Annu. Meet. Am. Soc.
Anim. Sci. (Abstract).

Grant, M. N.; McKenzie, H. 1979. Wheat breed-
ing. Ag Press, Manhattan, Kan. Annu. Wheat
Newslett. 25:45.

Hanna, M. R.; Gaudiel, R.; Richards, K. W. 1979.
Annual Report— 1978. Alta. Alfalfa Seed
Comm. 5 pp.

Harper, A. M. 1979. A bibliography of Alberta
entomology, 1833 to 1977. Alta. Agric, Ed-
monton, Alta. 101 pp.

Harper, A. M. 1979. Biology and control of the pea
aphid. Alta. Agric. Agdex 622-8.

Hawn, E. J. 1979. Sugar beet cyst nematode and
rapeseed. Can. Agric. 24(l):29-30.

Hironaka, R.; Klein, K. K.; Bailey, C. B. 1979.
Equations for estimating digestible energy
requirements of feedlot cattle. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:825 (Abstract).

Hobbs, E. H. 1979. Frequent light watering can
improve irrigation efficiency. Canadex 560.

Howarth, R. E.; Goplen, B. P.; Brandt, S. A.;
Cheng, K.-J.; Fay, J. P. 1979. Assessing the
bloat potential of forage legumes by initial
rates of leaf digestion. Agron. Abstr. 7 1 : 1 29.

346

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Johnston, A. 1978. Report on remote sensing
activities on rangelands. Pages 5-8 in 7th
Meet. Agric. Working Group Can. Advis.
Comm. Remote Sensing.

Johnston, A.; Smoliak, S. 1979. A history of
Canada's rangeland. West. Wildlands 5(4): 13-
14.

Johnston, A.; Smoliak, S. 1979. The Canadian
Arctic. Rangelands 1:181-182.

Kaldy, M. S. 1979. Protein quality of winter wheat.
Canadex 1 12.35.

Keller, D. G.; Klein, K. K. 1979. The computer
helps evaluate crossbreeding systems. Canadex
400.35.

Khan, M. A.; Haufe, W. O. 1979. Control of horn
flies. Alta. Agric. Agdex 420/651-3.

Klein, K. K. 1979. Using systems analysis to
economically evaluate poultry nutrition pro-
grams. Pages 68-69 in K. W. Lievers, ed. Proc.
Workshop Systems analysis and mathematical
modelling. Agric. Can., Eng. Stat. Res. Inst.
Rep. 1-109.

Lawson, J. E. 1979. Beef cattle selection for feedlot
gain on two diets. Pages 9-10 in Field Day
Bulletin, Livestock and Research Substation,
Onefour. Agric. Can., Lethbridge, Alta.

Lawson, J. E. 1979. Foreign cattle breed evaluation
(FCBE). Pages 4-6 in Field Day Bulletin,
Livestock and Range Research Substation,
Onefour. Agric. Can., Lethbridge, Alta.

Lawson, J. E. 1979. Milk production in beef cattle
selected for postweaning gain on two diets.
Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:837 (Abstract).

Lawson, J. E. 1979. Selection for gain can affect
milk production. Can. Charolais Banner
13(6):31.

Lawson, J. E. 1979. Selection for gain can affect
milk production. Canadex 420.10.

Lindwall, C. W. 1979. How to establish a zero-till
program. Pages 90-99 in Proc. Zero tillage in-
service training course. Alta. Agric, Edmon-
ton, Alta.

Lindwall, C. W. 1979. Minimum tillage in Western
Canada. Pages 30-38 in Proc. West. Austr.
Weeds Conf.

Lindwall, C. W.; Zentner, R. P.; Anderson, D. T.
1979. Conservation characteristics of mini-
mum tillage systems. Presented at joint meet-
ing of Am. Soc. Agric. Eng., Can. Soc. Agric.
Eng. Paper No. 79-1019. 10 pp.

Lynch, D. R. 1979. New variety development
program for the Prairie Region. Spudnotes
9(2):10.

Lynch, D. R. 1979. Prairie potato breeding pro-
gram. Pages 32-37 in Proc. 7th Annu. Meet.
Prairie Potato Counc.

Mains, W. M. 1979. Silage pricing chart. Alta.
Agric. Agdex 120/821-1.

Major, D. J. 1977. Corn maturity and weather in
Alberta. Pages 67-75 in W. Baier, ed. Agrome-
teorology of the maize (corn) crop. World
Meteorol. Organ., Geneva. Publ. 481.

Major, D. J. 1978. Soybean development. Pages
247-274 in Proc. 1978 Lacie corn-soybean
seminar. Nat. Aeronaut. Space Admin., John-
son Space Center, Houston, Tex.

Major, D. J.; Gaudiel, R.; Hamman, W. M. 1979.
Guide to corn production in Alberta. Alta.
Corn Comm., Lethbridge, Alta. (Leafl).

Major, D. J.; Ollerenshaw, J. H. 1979. Comparison
of Canadian and European hybrids. In Proc.
Europ. Maize Cong., Cambridge, U.K.

Major, D. J.; Shaykewich, C. F.; Rogalsky, J. R.;
Green, D. G.; Pelton, W. L.; Buchan, J. A.
1979. Corn heat units on the prairies (2nd ed.).
Alta. Corn Comm., Man. Corn Comm., Sask.
Corn Comm.

McKeen, W. E.; Traquair, J. A. 1978. Development
of Aphanomyces oogonia and oospores in
alfalfa roots. Proc. Can. Phytopathol. Soc.
45:39 (Abstract).

Mears, G. J.; Van Petten, G. R. 1979. Hormonal
and environmental induction of fertility in
anestrus ewes. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:835
(Abstract).

Moyer, J. R. 1979. Corn, registered weed control
practices, 1979, Western Canada. Canadex
111.641.

Moyer, J. R.; Dryden, R. D. 1979. Combined
application of Avadex BW and Treflan with
solution nitrogen. Canadex 542.

Nelson, W. A. 1979. Vitamin A and animal
parasitism. Canadex 650.

Oosterveld, M.; Sommerfeldt, T. G. 1979. A closed
basin drainage solution in a semi-arid area.
Page 19 in Proc. 9th Congr. Int. Genie Rur.
(Abstract).

Richards, K. W. 1979. Construction designs for
alfalfa leafcutter bee shelters. Canadex 616.

Richards, K. W.; Kozub, G. C. 1979. Estimating
the number of cocoons of alfalfa leafcutter
bees in a population. Canadex 616.

Salmon, R. E.; Klein, K. K. 1979. The nutritive and
economic value of rapeseed meal in poultry
diets. Proc. 28th Alta. Poult. Ind. Conf. 9 pp.

RESEARCH STATION, LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.

347

Smoliak, S. 1978. Natural grass production poten-
tials. Pages IS 1-1 87 in J. D. McElgunn, ed.
Pasture systems for the cow-calf. Agric. Can.
Res. Stn., Swift Current, Sask. (Mimeo).

Smoliak. S.; Johnston, A.; Wroe, R. A. 1979.
Grazing systems for Alberta ranges. Alta.
\iiric. Agdex 134/14.

Smoliak, S.; Wroe, R. A.; Klumph, S. G.; Schuler,
B. G.; Johnston, A. 1979. Forage production
on selected native prairie sites in southern
Alberta. Alta. Energy Nat. Res., Edmonton,
Alta. 36 pp. (Mimeo).

Sommerfeldt, T. G. 1978. Effects of cattle feedlot
manure on soil properties and barley yields.
Pages 98-107 in Proc. Work Planning Meet.
Land application of manure. Agric. Can.,
Ottawa. Rep. 1-64.

Sommerfeldt, T. G. 1978. Use of barnyard manure
in corp production. Pages 20-36 in Proc.
Semin. on Practical alternatives to chemicals
in crop production. Univ. Regina, Extens. Div.

Sonntag, B. H. 1979. Simulation model for dryland
crop production on the Canadian prairies.
Pages 41-43 in K. W. Lievers, ed. Proc.
Workshop Systems analysis and mathematical
modelling. Agric. Can., Eng. Stat. Res. Inst.
Rep. 1-109.

Sonntag, B. H.; Klein, K. K. 1979. A beef-forage-
grain production model for farms in Western
Canada. Agric. Can. Publ. 79/3. 55 pp.

Stewart, C. S.; Cheng, K.-J.; Paniagua, C; Dins-
dale, D. 1979. Some observations on a cellulo-
lytic polymorphic bacterium Bacteroides suc-
cinogenes. Proc. Annu. Meet. Soc. Gen.
Microbiol. 87:26.

Struble, D. L.; Lilly, C. E. 1978. Attractant for
beet webworm moths. Can. Patent 1043256.

Struble, D. L.; Swailes, G. E. 1979. Attractant for
army cutworm moths. U.S. Patent 4, 1 47,77 1 .

Swailes, G. E.; Struble, D. L. 1978. Attractant for
darksided cutworm moths. U.S. Patent
4,107,293.

Swierstra, E. E.; Dyck, G. W.; Strain, J. H. 1979.
Effect of type of housing on semen composition
of boars. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:834 (Abstract).

Taylor, W. G. 1979. Identification of some in vitro
metabolites of citronyl from rap hepatic micro-
somes. Paper Pest. 46 in Proc. Annu. Meet.
Am. Chem. Soc. (Abstract).

Underhill, E. W.; Chisholm, M. D.; Steck, W. F.;
Bailey, B. K.; Lamb, P. M.; Struble, D. L.;
Swailes, G. E. 1979. Composite attractant for
bertha armyworm. Can. Patent 1059023.

Vesely, J. A. [1979],
Canadex 430.32.

Finnish Landrace sheep.

Wilkinson, P. R. 1979. Early achievements, recent
advances, and future prospects in the ecology
of the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Pages 105-
112 in Recent advances in acarology, Vol. II.
Academic Press, N.Y.

Wilkinson, P. R. 1979. Ecological aspects of pest
management of Ixodid ticks. Pages 25-33 in
Recent advances in acarology, Vol. II. Aca-
demic Press, N.Y.

Wilkinson, P. R. 1979. Quaestiones zoogeographiae
albertensis: (a) the possible influence of winter
warming by Chinooks on the distribution of
Rocky Mountain wood ticks in southern Al-
berta; (b) the sampling of biting fly damage to
cattle in relation to bioclimatic zones. Pages
25-26 /«Proc. 26th Annu. Meet. Entomol. Soc.
Alta. (Abstract).

Wilson, D. B. 1979. Buying and selling silage on
moisture content. Canadex 120.52.

Wroe, R. A.; Smoliak, S.; Johnston, A.; Turnbull,
M. G. 1979. Alberta range pastures. Alta.
Agric. Alta. Energy Nat. Res. ENR Rep. 86.
30 pp.

348

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Agassiz, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. E. Miltimore, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D

D. C. Ottoson, B.A.

J. Repstock

M. I. Tuttle,1 B.Sc, B.L.S.

Director

Analyst Programmer

Administrative Officer

Librarian

Animal Science

J. R. Hunt, B.S.A., Ph.D.

W. T. Buckley, B.Sc, Ph.D.

L. J. Fisher, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

R. J. Forrest, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Poultry physiology
Ruminant mineral biochemistry
Dairy cattle nutrition
Animal physiology — meat studies

Crop Science

J. A. Freeman, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

N. A. Fairey, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.

C. G. Kowalenko, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

E. F. Maas,2 B.S.A., M.Sc.

A. R. Maurer, B.S.A., M.Sc.

P. W. Perrin, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Physiology of
small fruits — herbicides
Field crop physiology
Soil biochemistry and fertility
Plant nutrition — nonsoil media
Physiology of vegetable crops
Postharvest physiology

Departure

A. T. Hill, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Retired 28 December 1979

Poultry management

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

Seconded to Sarawak Soil Survey Project, Malaysia, from May 1977 to July 1979.

RESEARCH STATION, AGASSIZ, B.C.

349

INTRODUCTION

The highlight of the year was the establishment of a vegetable storage research program
with the appointment of Dr. P. W. Perrin. Dr. D. K. Taylor, who retired in 1978, has continued
to carry out research on turf and cereals. We wish to acknowledge the long and dedicated
service of Dr. A. T. Hill who retired in 1979.

Giant radish could become an important new vegetable crop. Weather was found to
markedly influence the relative sensitivity of potato cultivars to the herbicide metribuzin.
Broccoli was successfully grown and harvested from 20 May to 24 December. High levels of
phosphorus fertilization hastened maturity and increased grain content of corn silage.
Widespread deficiencies of essential plant nutrients were documented in filbert orchards. The
potential for rather widespread sulfur deficiencies in the coastal region of British Columbia was
indicated by a marked response to sulfur fertilization by pasture grasses.

Candle rapeseed meal was found to be equal to soybean meal for use in a starter ration for
calves. Steers fed on pasture produced carcasses with a yellowish fat color which was
satisfactorily reduced after 2 mo in the feedlot. Strain of the broilers grown was a more
important influence than the feeding regime on the grade of roaster chickens.

The text summarizes highlights of research conducted in 1979. The list of publications
provides a more detailed indication of research activities. Requests for information on these
and other projects, for reprints or correspondence should be directed to: Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, B.C. VOM 1A0.

J. E. Miltimore
Director

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Use of 65Cu as a tracer in biological
studies. Preliminary results indicate that 65Cu
(a stable isotope) may be utilized as a tracer
in Cu nutrition and metabolism experiments.
Preparative and analytical (mass spectromet-
ric) techniques for the analysis of liver,
plasma, feces, and milk have been developed
and appear acceptable.

Metabolic indicators of chronic Cu toxicity
in sheep. No effect of Cu supplementation at
16.7, 23.7, and 33.9 ppm in the ration was
observed compared to controls at 10.2 and 7.9
ppm for the following parameters: average
daily gain, mortality, and blood constituents
related to Cu metabolism (superoxide dismu-
tase, catalase, allantoin, red cell volume,
hemoglobin, Cu, uric acid, and glutathione
peroxidase). Plasma ferroxidase, glutamic
oxaloacetic transaminase, and liver copper
showed responses to supplemental dietary Cu.

Processed aspen chips as a forage substi-
tute. Processed aspen was added at 0, 10, and
20% to corn silage fed to lactating cows. Cows
consumed 11.8, 13.4, and 13.4 kg silage dry
matter (DM) and produced milk at 25.7,
27.0, and 26.8 kg/day, respectively. Inclusion

of aspen chips did not improve milk fat but
did reduce ration digestibility.

Utilization of milk progesterone for estrus
detection. The mean time of the first proges-
terone-detected heat occurred at 34 ± 11
days wnereas the first visually detected heat
occurred at 50 ± 27 days postpartum. Cows
that were bred at first observed heat, after 60
days postpartum, conceived at 89 ± 34 days
and required 1.6 services per conception,
while cows that were first bred after 80 days
postpartum conceived at 119 ± 47 days and
required 2.0 services per conception.

Candle rapeseed meal for calves. Feeding
Holstein calves a starter ration containing
either Candle rapeseed meal or soybean meal
gave equal growth rates, feed intakes, and
ration digestibilities.

Carcass coloration in grass-fed beef cattle.
Hereford steers reared on lush pasture and
slaughtered at 400 kg attained an average
amber color rating of 6.5 (1 = white, 9 =
yellow). A value greater than 5 results in
some wholesale buyer resistance. Subsequent
heavy grain feeding for 60 days reduced
carcass color to below 4.

350

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Performance of Simmental X Holstein
(F,) crossbreds. The growth and carcass
characteristics of 42 purebred Holstein-
Friesian steers were compared with 64 Sim-
mental x Holstein (F,) crossbreds (37 steers
and 27 heifers). There were no significant
differences in rate of gain or feed efficiency
between the two groups of steers, but heifers
were less efficient and grew more slowly than
both groups of steers. Crossbred heifers had
the greatest offal fat and crossbred steers the
least, while Holsteins steers were intermedi-
ate. Heifers had 67.2%, Holstein steers 70.4%,
and crossbred steers 71.8% lean meat in the
carcass.

Layer cage size and orientation. Birds on
low-density feed in traditionally deep cages
with a narrow front had depressed egg pro-
duction while performance in shallow cages
with greater front, and therefore greater feed
trough space, was excellent. Layers on a
higher-density feed in deep and shallow cages
had excellent egg production, thus demon-
strating that low-density feed is a stress factor
in deep cages with limited feeding space.

Storage life of eggs. Albumen quality
variability was associated with age of layer
and, surprisingly, color of shell. Days in
storage, and oiling, had little effect. Sample
sizes required to estimate the albumen quality
of eggs, for brown-shelled eggs, were 19 eggs
at 28 wk and 52 at 76 wk of age. For white-
shelled eggs comparable sample sizes were 16
and 32 eggs. These results were required in
order to date-stamp egg cartons reliably.

Broiler breeders in cages. Eggs can be
produced satisfactorily by hens in cages,
particularly with a small number of birds per
cage. Fertility, by natural matings or by
artificial insemination, has been unsatisfac-
tory. Until this difficulty has been overcome,
the management of broiler breeders in cages
will be uneconomical.

Egg production and energy intakes. There
was no interaction between dietary energy
content and the level of restriction on the
economic production traits of layers. Energy
intake was found to be more important in
maintaining egg production than the level of
protein intake over the range tested.

Growth rate influence on roaster product.
A serious problem exists in the high percent-
age of undergrades in this class of chicken,
and it would appear to be related to the stress

imposed by the rapid growth and the physical
size of these large birds. Control of growth
rate either by reduced dietary protein level or
by physical restriction of feed intake did not
reduce the percentage of undergrades pro-
duced. Strain of broiler stock used to produce
this product was found to be important.

CROP SCIENCE

Influence of weather on the response of
potato cultivars to metribuzin. The response
of 1 1 potato cultivars to metribuzin was
studied over a 5 yr period. The herbicide was
applied preemergence, preemergence plus
postemergence, and early postemergence. The
response to metribuzin was influenced by
weather conditions. Postemergence sprays
applied at temperatures over 21°C resulted in
increased top growth injury which was re-
flected in decreased yields. Cultivars showing
sensitivity to metribuzin at these tempera-
tures included Belleisle, Early Rose, Kenne-
bec, Netted Gem, Red La Soda, Red Pontiac,
and White Rose. Cultivars responded to the
amount of sunshine before, during, and after
spraying. When weather conditions were
cloudy before and during spraying, then
changing to sunshine after spraying, cultivars
Belleisle, Netted Gem, and Warba were
injured. Cultivars showing sensitivity under
stress (lack of water) were Belleisle, Epicure,
Norland, Red Pontiac, and White Rose. Wet
soil increased sensitivity of Epicure, Netted
Gem, Norgold Russet, and Warba to
preemergence applications.

Quackgrass control in raspberries. Several
herbicide treatments were tested for quack-
grass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) control
in raspberries over a 4 yr period. Both
glyphosate and pronamide gave good quack-
grass control. Glyphosate appeared more
effective when applied in late fall while
pronamide appeared more effective when
applied in early spring. The addition of
simazine to glyphosate caused little or no
improvement in grass control. A paraquat-
simazine mixture did not give satisfactory
grass control. Pronamide applied either in the
fall or spring caused a reduction in the new
cane growth, with 3.36 kg/ha in the spring
causing a significant reduction in the number
of raspberry sucker plants. Grass competition
in the unweeded check plots reduced the
number of canes and yield of berries. The

RESEARCH STATION, AGASSIZ, B.C.

351

crop was not affected adversely by the her-
bicide treatments. The pronamide-treated
plants tended to give the highest yields.

Planting time for forage corn. Planting in
late April compared to late May increased
total forage and grain yield by 6 and 37%,
respectively, and resulted in forage containing
10% more grain at harvest. Early planting
also increased forage DM content at harvest
by 4.8r;

Phosphorus fertilizer for corn. On a soil
with a high level of available P, corn re-
sponded similarly to P fertilizer regardless of
whether it was broadcast and incorporated or
banded at seeding. However, high rates of P
(P,0, up to 160 kg/ha) increased early plant
vigor, advanced flowering by 2 days, and
increased forage and grain DM contents at
harvest by 1 .7 and 3.6%, respectively.

Corn hybrid maturity assessment. Over
three locations, the corn heat unit system for
rating hybrids was more reliable for assessing
grain percentage dry matter (DM) (r of -0.80
to -0.83) than forage percentage DM (r of
-0.62 to -0.69). Forage DM content at
harvest was dependent on the DM content of
the stover and the proportion of total DM as
grain or in the ear.

Perennial ryegrasses. In the 1st yr of
production, diploid varieties were 12% more
productive than tetraploid varieties when
mechanically grazed (eight cuts, N at 450 kg/
ha) but both types were equally productive
when grown for conservation as hay or silage
(four cuts, N at 300 kg/ha).

Fertilizer requirements of filberts as re-
flected by leaf analysis. Chemical analysis
data obtained from a leaf tissue survey of

filbert orchards in British Columbia when
compared to literature values indicated a high
deficiency of potassium and also some defi-
ciencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium,
magnesium, and boron. Instances of excesses
of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were
also found.

Evidence of sulfur and nitrogen deficiency
in a coastal soil. In a field fertilizer trial with
forage grass, dry matter yields were doubled
by a combination of nitrogen and sulfur
fertilizer application. Without sulfur, the
forage grass did not respond to nitrogen.

New and exotic vegetables. Screening trials
revealed that amongst giant radish cultivars,
one hybrid from Korea was outstanding in
quality, yield, and resistance to bolting. One
Florence fennel cultivar from France pro-
duced excellent bulbs of high culinary quality.
Precision seeding of Belgian endive (witloof)
produced more uniform roots than scatter-
shoe planting. Time of planting and harvest
was critical for production of easily forced
roots. Overwintered onions, cauliflower, car-
rots, and Swiss chicory survived the 1979—
1980 winter. New crops, which did not
perform satisfactorily or which had limited
culinary appeal, include edible burdock,
cardoon, okra, scorzonera, salsify, Japanese
garland, and cicora Catalogna.

Broccoli season extension. Nine trials were
run at 3 wk intervals to assess the perform-
ance of six cultivars. Harvesting began on 20
May and continued until 24 December.
Yields were least in December. Quality was
affected by "rain rot" in the third planting
and heat stress in the fourth. The cultivar
Premium Crop, followed by Green Duke, had
the best overall performances. Corvet was
satisfactory during cool weather only.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Adamson, R. M.; Maas, E. F. 1976. Amount and
kind of growth media in soilless greenhouse
tomato production. HortScience 11:212-213.

Cameron, D. J.; Kowalenko, C. G.; Campbell, C. A.
1979. Factors influencing nitrate nitrogen and
chloride leaching variability in a field plot. Soil
Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43:455-460.

Fisher, L. J. 1979. An estimation of the variability
in the composition of orts from feeding trials
with lactating cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59:1 13-
118.

Kowalenko, C. G 1979. The influence of sulfur
anions on denitrification. Can. J. Soil Sci.
59:221-223.

Kowalenko, C. G. 1979. Sodium hypobromite
digestion for boron analysis of plant and soil
materials. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.
10(11):1421-1434.

352

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Maurer, A. R. 1976. Effects of time and rate of
SADH application to brussels sprouts. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 56:325-330.

Maurer, A. R. 1976. Response of broccoli to five
soil water regimes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 56:953-
959.

Miltimore, J. E.; Kalnin, C. M.; Clapp, J. B. 1978.
Copper storage in the livers of cattle supple-
mented with injected copper and with copper
sulphate and chelated copper. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 58:525-529.

Shelford, J. A.; Grisenthwaite, T.; Barrington, S.;
Peterson, R. G.; Fisher, L. J. 1979. Milk
sampling methods for a progesterone assay for
each pregnancy diagnosis. J. Anim. Sci. 59:77-
82.

Miscellaneous

Cameron, D. R.; Kowalenko, C. G.; Neilson, G. H.;
Culley, J. L. 1979. The nitrogen picture in
agricultural soils of Eastern Canada. Titles
and abstracts from 25th Annu. Meet. Can.
Soc. Soil Sci. Univ. of New Brunswick, Freder-
icton, N.B., 19-23 Aug. pp. 3-4.

Fairey, N. A. 1979. Forage corn report. British
Columbia Corn Committee, Agassiz Research
Station. 29 pp.

Fisher, L. J. 1979. Processed aspen as roughage for
lactating cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59
(Abstract).

Fisher, L. J.; Fairey, N. A. 1979. Factors influenc-
ing the utilization by ruminants of corn silage
in marginal growing regions. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59:427-439.

Forrest, R. J. 1979. Crossbred beef shows good
returns. The Chilliwack Progress, Oct. 17. p.
IOC.

Freeman, J. A. 1979. Response of sweet corn to
combinations of herbicide EPTC + R-25788
(A/,A/-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide) and the
insecticide fonofos. 19th Annu. Meet. Weed
Sci. Soc. Am. Abstract 98, p. 47.

Freeman, J. A. 1979. Response of potato cultivars
to metribuzin. 63rd Annu. Meet. The Potato
Assoc. Am. Am. Potato J. 56:461 (Abstract).

Freeman, J. A.; Finlayson, D. G. 1979. Vegetable
responses to pesticide combinations. Can.
Agric. Spring, pp. 28-30.

Heal, V.; Maurer, A. R. 1979. Some new and some
old vegetables for B.C. Proc. Lower Mainland
Hortic. Improv. Assoc. 21:46-55.

Hill, A. T. 1979. Key factors in successful cage
layer operations. Poult. Digest, Aug.: 148.

Hill, A. T. 1979. Espace de vie pour les pondeuses.
Can. Poultryman, Mar.:36, 38.

Hill, A. T. 1979. Oiling less effective on eggs of
older hens. Poult. Dig. Jan.:48.

Hill, A. T.; McKay, E. 1979. Oiling eggs recom-
mended by CEMA's quality improvement
committee. Can. Poultryman, Jan.:32-33.

Hunt, J. R.; Barton, G. M. 1979. From forest to
farm. Can. Agric. Fall:21-22.

Hunt, J. R.; Hill, A. T. 1979. Effect of dietary
energy and limited feeding on layer perform-
ance. Can. Soc. Anim. Sci. Meet. Fredericton,
N.B., 19-23 Aug. (Abstract).

Maas, E. F. 1978. How to grow tomatoes and
cucumbers in sawdust. Vegetables for the Hot,
Humid Tropics (Newsletter), Mayaguez Inst.
Trop. Agric, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. 3:87-88.

Maas, E. F. 1979. How to grow tomatoes and
cucumbers in sawdust. Sarawak Gazette,
Jan.:6.

Maas, E. F.; Tie, Y. L.; Lim, C. P. 1979. Sarawak
(Malaysia) land capability classification and
evaluation for agricultural crops. Agric. Can.,
Soil Survey Div., Res. Branch, June. 40 pp., 10
tables, 8 maps.

Maurer, A. R. 1979. Some aspects of vegetable
production in Europe. Proc. Lower Mainland
Hortic. Improv. Assoc. 21:75-79.

Maurer, A. R. 1979. Onion white rot on the move.
BCMA Pest Control News 2:2.

Maurer, A. R.; Heal, V. 1979. Sequential planting
of broccoli. Proc. Lower Mainland Hortic.
Improv. Assoc. 21:62-64.

Pepin, H. S.; Maurer, A. R. 1979. Control of
Botrytis pod rot of beans. Pestic. Res. Rep.
1978:433-434.

Schneider, F.; Grisenthwaite, T.; Shelford, J. A.;
Fisher, L. J. 1979. Progesterone and visually
detected estrus, conception and production in
dairy cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59 (Abstract).

Symonds, G.; Hill, A. T.; Hunt, J. R. 1979. Some of
the things going on at the Agassiz Research
Station. Can. Poultryman, Oct.:60-61 .

Zuercher, P.; Fisher, L. J.; Shelford, J. A. 1979.
Effectiveness of preservatives in the production
and utilization of grass silage. Can. J. Anim.
Sci. 59 (Abstract).

RESEARCH STATION, AGASSIZ, B.C.

353

Research Station
Kamloops, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

A. McLean, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. L. Pringle,1 B.S.A., M.S.F.
K. Broersma,2 B.S.A., M.Sc.
W. Majak, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
D. A. Quinton, B.S., Ph.D.
D. G. Stout, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.
A. L. van Ryswyk, B.S.A., M.S. A.

Ph.D.

Acting Director; Range ecology
Superintendent, Prince George
Forage agronomy, Prince George
Plant biochemistry
Range science
Plant physiology
Soil science

'Appointed April 1979.

Transferred from Kamloops, October 1979.

RESEARCH STATION, KAMLOOPS, B.C

355

INTRODUCTION

Forage crops and beef cattle research programs are under way at the Kamloops Research
Station. Administration of the Prince George Experimental Farm was transferred to the
Kamloops Research Station from the Beaverlodge Research Station in Alberta on 1 April
1979.

In April W. L. Pringle, a forage crops specialist with many years of experience in the
north, was appointed Superintendent of the Prince George Experimental Farm, and in October
K. Broersma, a soils agronomist with experience in forage crop production, was transferred
from Kamloops to Prince George. The offices of the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture
are located on the Experimental Farm at Prince George. This association has resulted in
excellent communication and cooperation between the two agencies, benefiting agriculture in
the region.

This Experimental Farm has responsibility for the region from Hazelton to McBride and
south to Quesnel. The region is suited to growing cultivated forage crops and beef production.
The research program objective of this Experimental Farm is to solve production and
utilization problems of forage crops. Emphasis is given to evaluation of grass and legume
cultivars as related to climate and soil fertility and to evaluation of cereal versus grass-legume
silage when fed to wintering beef cattle.

We place great importance on research at Prince George and believe this research can
make a significant impact on the agricultural industry of the region.

The administration of the Creston Substation was placed under the Summerland
Research Station in October. Kamloops will, however, maintain forage crops research in the
Creston area.

Further information on this research may be obtained by writing to the Director,
Agriculture Canada, Research Station, 3015 Ord Road, Kamloops, B.C. V2B 8A9, and that of
the Experimental Farm by writing to the Superintendent, Agriculture Canada, Experimental
Farm, RR#1, Prince George, B.C. V2N 2H8.

A. McLean
Acting Director

PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY

Saskatoon serviceberry poisons cattle

Alkaloids in reed canarygrass

The alkaloids of reed canarygrass, Phalaris
arundinacea L., respond to changes in soil
moisture and nitrogen fertility. Gramine and
hordenine levels increased under field condi-
tions of moisture deprivation. This effect was
enhanced when nitrogen fertilizer was ap-
plied. The level of 5-methoxy-A^-methyltryp-
tamine was affected mainly by the nitrogen
amendment. Exceptional alkaloid levels in
reed canarygrass can be predicted in relation
to climatic and plant osmotic parameters.
Improved fluorescence scanning procedures
were developed for thin-layer chromatogra-
phy (TLC) quantifying reed canarygrass
alkaloids.

Twigs of Saskatoon serviceberry, Amelan-
chier alnifolia Nutt., were administered to
cattle in feed rations and by intraruminal
dosing to determine the toxicity of the cyano-
genic shrub. When chopped twigs were fed as
75% of the diet, cattle exhibited restlessness,
shivering, loss of weight, scours, and shortness
of breath. Low-level dosing experiments indi-
cated a rapid turnover of hydrogen cyanide
(HCN) in the rumen. When potential doses of
HCN were increased to 5 mg/kg (body
weight) progressive stages of poisoning devel-
oped rapidly, rumen HCN levels were ele-
vated for at least 3 h, and the increase in
heart rate correlated with the rise in blood
HCN concentration.

356

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Toxicity of timber milk-vetch to honey bees

RANGE IMPROVEMENT

Field observations over a period of 3 yr
linked the occurrence of honey bee poisoning
to timber milk-vetch, Astragalus miser
Dougl. ex Hook., in flower. The nectar of this
plant was found to contain miserotoxin, a
nitropropanol glycoside. Feeding trials with
caged bees demonstrated the toxicity of
aliphatic nitro compounds. TLC methods
were developed for detecting nitrotoxins in
nectar and the rectal sacs of honey bees.

RANGE MANAGEMENT

Feeding habits of cattle and mule deer on
winter range

Studies on the winter range have been
completed and have resulted in recommenda-
tions for improved grazing management
planning which should keep conflicts to a
minimum. Interaction between mule deer,
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus, and cattle
took various forms. The potential for direct
competition was greatest in spring. Both deer
and cattle selected bluebunch wheatgrass,
Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. &
Smith, and crested wheatgrass, Agropyron
desertorum (Fisch.) Schult., while Sandberg
bluegrass, Poa sandbergii Vasey, was most
often eaten by deer. Evidence of indirect
interaction was observed. Moderate or heavy
fall grazing by cattle made the spring forage
more attractive to deer by removing mature
forage.

WEED CONTROL

Ecology of knapweed

Plants of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea
diffusa Lam., have survived for 4 yr without
bolting, indicating that the species can be
more than a short-lived perennial.

Extracts of diffuse and spotted knapweed,
C. maculosa Lam., inhibited germination and
growth of alfalfa, crested wheatgrass, barley,
and annual ryegrass. The allelopathic poten-
tial appears to vary between seasons among
sites, and bioassays indicated that different
species were affected in varying degrees. Soils
from knapweed-infested areas also yielded
inhibitory extracts.

Range seeder modified

The 3.7 m rangeland seeder constructed in
cooperation with the Agricultural Engineer-
ing Branch, British Columbia Ministry of
Agriculture, has proved to be very successful.
Since the start of the seeding 4 yr ago, about
5670 ha have been seeded. Seeding was at
least a partial success on all sites. In 1978, a
2.7 m model was constructed that was easier
to move on the highway and easier for a
rancher to use on his own. During the 1979
season we found that the smaller machine
took almost as much power to pull as the large
model. The machine handles well on rough
rocky ground, since the discs maintain max-
imum contact with the soil. It also chops 1 m
tall shrubs without having the debris pile up.
Sometimes double discing is necessary in
heavy sod. Seeding depth control has been
good. Loose soil does not pile up in front of
the large rollers.

SOILS
Irrigation of pulp mill effluent

In response to a proposal from the Kam-
loops Pulp Mill of Weyerhaueser Canada Ltd.
to investigate the feasibility of using the mill's
effluent for irrigation water as a means of its
disposal, a preliminary trial was conducted on
a fairway of the Kamloops golf course for one
growing season. Analyses of the effluent
waters indicated medium to high salinity
(1.7-2.0 mS/cm) and low to medium sodium
hazard (sodium absorption rates 7.4-8.7).

Soil reaction, salinity, and exchangeable
sodium percentage (ESP) were increased
significantly after 3 mo of flood irrigation with
effluent at the rate of 5 cm/wk, as compared
to that of normal river water. ESP increased
from 0.7 to 18.3 for the 0-14 cm soil layer
and from 1.8 to 9.1 for the 14-25 cm. Slightly
larger increases were noted for an effluent
irrigation regime of 8 cm/wk. These increases
approach the "critical" ESP value of 15 for
the surface 25 cm, although no visible deterio-
ration of soil structure or permeability was
noted during the short term of the trial.

During the 2 mo period following the trial,
normal sprinkler irrigation was applied and 4
cm of precipitation fell on the trial area. ESP
of plots receiving effluent at 5 cm/wk had
changed from 18.3 to 8.8 for the 0-14 cm

RESEARCH STATION, KAMLOOPS, B.C.

357

layer, 9.1 to 10.1 for the 14-25 cm layer, and
from 3.4 to 5.7 for the 25-50 cm layer during
this period. This indicates considerable im-
provement in soil quality of surface layer due
to the leaching effect of the better-quality
water.

The trial indicates that soil salinity in-
creases could be controlled by applying water

in excess of évapotranspiration needs. Soil
permeability problems, however, could de-
velop due to exchangeable sodium buildup.
Periodic soil analyses would be necessary to
assess this sodium hazard so that corrective
measures, such as gypsum application, could
be taken before serious problems developed.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Broersma, K.; van Ryswyk, A. L. 1979. Magnesium
déficiences observed in forage corn varieties.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:541-544.

Gusta, L. V.; Fowler, D. B.; Chen, P.; Russell, D.
B.; Stout, D. G. 1979. A nuclear magnetic
resonance study of water in cold-acclimation
cereals. Plant Physiol. 63:627-634.

Quinton, D. A.; Horejsi, R.; Flinders, J. T. 1979.
Influence of brush control on Texas white-
tailed deer diets. J. Range Manage. 32:93-97.

Stout, D. G. 1979. Plant plasma membrane water
permeability and slow freezing injury. Plant
Cell Environ. 2:273-275.

Willms, W.; Hudson, R. J.; McLean, A. 1979.
Assessment of variability among diets of indi-
vidual deer with the aid of canonical analysis.
Can. J. Zool. 57:1856-1862.

Willms, W.; McLean, A.; Tucker, R.; Ritcey, R.
1979. Interactions between mule deer and
cattle on big sagebrush range in British Co-
lumbia. J. Range Manage. 32:299-304

Miscellaneous

Broersma, K. 1979. Verticillium wilt in British
Columbia. B.C. Cattlemen's Assoc. Newsl.
Oct.:12-13.

Broersma, K.; Hanna, M. R. 1979. Resistance to
Verticillium wilt disease in alfalfa varieties and
crosses. Forage Notes, Fall.

Clark, M. B.; McLean, A. 1979. Growth of lodge-
pole pine seedlings in competition with grass.
B.C. For. Serv. Res. Note 86. 13 pp.

Goplen, B. P.; Howarth, R. E.; Majak, W. 1979.
The incidence of bloat in cattle fed high- and
low-saponin alfalfa. Agron. Abstr. 128-129.

Majak, W. 1979. Saskatoon serviceberry shrubs — a
potential threat. Agric. Can. News Features.
1809:10-11.

Majak, W.; McLean, A.; Udenberg, T. 1979.
Saskatoon shrubs can poison cattle. Kamloops
and District Ranch News. July:9.

Majak, W.; Quinton, D. A. 1979. Saskatoon serv-
iceberry— potential for trouble. B.C. Cattlem-
en's Assoc. Newsl. Feb.: 13.

Majak, W.; van Ryswyk, A. L. 1979. Reed canary-
grass alkaloids — low levels on wet meadows.
B.C. Cattlemen's Assoc. Newsl. Aug.:12-13.

McLean, A. 1979. Grazing forests and clearcuts.
West. Wildlands 5(14):34-35.

McLean, A.; Waldern, D. E.; Bawtree, A. 1979.
Seeding British Columbia rangelands. Can.
Agric. 24(2): 19-20.

Quinton, D. A. 1979. Supplement feeding on fall
range. B.C. Cattlemen's Assoc. Newsl. Apr.:5.

Simpson, G. M.; Durley, R. C; Kannagara, T.;
Stout, D. G. 1979. The problems of plant
breeders. In Plant regulation and world agri-
culture. Scott, T. K., ed. Plenum Publishing
Corp.

Stout, D. G. 1979. A quantitative measure of
freezing stress in plant tissues. Plant Physiol.
(Annu. Suppl.) 63:8.

Stout, D. G.; McLean, A. 1978. July grazing of
pinegrass critical. BCAA Newsl. Dec.:l 1-12.

Van Ryswyk, A. L.; Broersma, K.; Williams, R. J.
1979. Nitrogen fertility management of
crested wheatgrass related to soil moisture
regime. Abstr. Soc. Range Manage. Annu.
Meet. Casper, Wyo. Feb.: 12- 15.

358

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Saanichton Research Station
Sidney, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administration

J. M. Molnar, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

D. D. Jones

M. A. Watson,1 B.A., M.Lib.

Director
Office Manager
Librarian

Horticultural Crops

R. G. Atkinson, B.S.A., Ph.D.

A. W. Chiko, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

R. E. Harris, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

W. C. Lin, B.S., M.Sc, Ph.D.

N. V. Tonks, B.S.A., M.S.

Vacant

C. M. Winter,2 B.S.A.

Plant pathology
Viruses — Ornamentals
Plant physiology — Tissue culture
Plant physiology — Ornamentals
Entomology
Vegetable physiology
Acting Officer in Charge, Post
Entry Quarantine Station

Departure

D. R. Bertoia,2 B.S.A.

Officer in Charge, Post Entry
Quarantine Station

SAANICHTON RESEARCH STATION, SIDNEY, B.C.

359

EXTENSION SERVICES

G. S. Emmond,' B.S.A., M. Se. Greenhouse and vegetable crops

D. P. Elliott,3 B.Ed. Greenhouse biological control

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.
Food Production and Inspection Branch.
'British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture.

360 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Saanichton Research Station is the ornamental and greenhouse vegetable center for
British Columbia, and most of the Station's programs are oriented to solving problems and
giving direct service to the ornamentals and vegetable industry.

Emphasis in research is being given to nutritional and physiological problems in
floriculture; plant propagation, postrooting development, and long-distance shipping of plants
for the nursery industry; the eradication of viruses and rapid multiplication of grapes and
ornamentals by tissue culture; and the control of pests and diseases in vegetables and
ornamentals.

The Post Entry Quarantine Station, a joint venture between the Food Production and
Inspection Branch and the Research Branch, made a significant contribution to Canadian
agriculture.

Requests for information or publications should be addressed to the Saanichton Research
Station, Agriculture Canada, 8801 East Saanich Road, Sidney, B.C. V8L 1H3.

J. M. Molnar
Director

ORNAMENTALS

Alstroemeria. Daily 16 h supplementary
lighting with high-pressure sodium (HPS)
lamps increased the number of flower shoots
per square metre per year from 545 to 755 for
cv. Orchid and from 387 to 454 for Regina
and promoted early flowering in the spring.
Under HPS, the number of flower shoots per
square metre per year varied between culti-
vars: Orchid produced 755; Orange Beauty,
715; Regina, 454; Canaria, 443; Beauty, 267;
and Red Surprise, 247.

Gerbera. Heating the soil to 24°C and
providing 16 h supplementary lighting with
HPS lamps increased the number of flowers
per plant, improved growth, and reduced
Phytophthora infection. The number of flow-
ers per square metre per year in pots was 247
as compared to 223 in beds with areas of
disease and 291 in clean beds.

Geranium. Seed geraniums {Pelargonium
hortorum) with one application of Cycocel
flowered 3-14 days earlier than the controls.
Supplementary lighting with HPS lamps
during the first 8 wk of the growing season
resulted in 7-18 days earlier flowering. Light-
ing for the first 8 wk was as effective as
lighting during the whole growing season of
16 wk.

Poinsettia. Combinations of ammonium
and nitrate resulted in better growth and
quality of pot poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcher-
rima) than either nitrogen source alone.

Ammonium-treated plants developed severe
necrosis on lower leaves following the applica-
tion of nitrate in the middle of the growing
season. The severity of the symptom increased
from soil-peat-perlite, to peat-vermiculite,
and to peat-sawdust.

Carbonated mist propagation. The injec-
tion of C02 into mist water increased percent
rooting of English holly, Rhododendron spp.,
Chamaecyparis spp., Juniperus spp., and
Douglas fir and increased the number, length,
and fresh weight of roots per cutting, espe-
cially with Taxus media and Pseudotsuga
menziesii '162'. Both C02 mist and 16 h HPS
lighting increased percent rooting and the
number and length of roots per cutting of
Magnolia spp.

Accelerated growth of ornamental plants.
Daily 16 h supplementary lighting with HPS
or low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps acceler-
ated growth of English holly, white spruce,
Douglas fir, Canada hemlock, and crape
myrtle. HPS and LPS were equally effective
in promoting growth. Carbon dioxide at
1000-1300 ppm with or without lighting
increased the growth of English holly during
October and November 1979, but had no
effect on other plant species. The increased
growth of Japanese holly, Japanese aucuba,
and Viburnum sp. under HPS or LPS re-
quired higher fertilizing than nonlighted
plants.

SAANICHTON RESEARCH STATION, SIDNEY, B.C.

361

Control of black vine weevil. Soluble
powder acephate and emulsifiable concen-
trates of acephate, permethrin, diazinon,
malathion, fenvalerate, and Ripcord applied
as soil drenches to container-grown Rhodo-
dendron and azalea reduced root weevil larval
populations significantly, but acephate emul-
sifiable was phytotoxic. Potassium oleate
drenches at concentrations up to 5.0% were
not effective for control of root weevils on
azalea. Diflubenzuron soil drenches with
active ingredient at 0.25 g/L gave good
control of root weevils, but lower rates were
ineffective. Adult black vine weevils fed on
diflubenzuron-treated foliage showed no dif-
ferences in total egg production or viability
compared to untreated adults. Previous trials
with oxamyl foliar sprays indicated promising
control of root weevil larvae, but trials this
year failed to indicate any significant control.

Winter moth control of apple. Sprays of
acephate, carbaryl, lindane, methoxychlor,
and permethrin applied at three rates to apple
tree trunks in November and December did
not provide adequate control of adult females.
Spring foliar sprays with methoxychlor at
0.1% and 0.05% gave excellent larvae control,
but methoxychlor at 0.01% and potassium
oleate at 1.0% and 0.5% were not effective.
Control with methoxychlor at 0.01% was
enhanced with the addition of potassium
oleate at 1.0%.

Phytophthora root rot of ornamentals. No
resistance to Phytophthora root rot was found
in seedlings of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
vars. allumii, erect a, gracilis, schongariensis,
and westermanii when grown in soil infested
with P. cinnamomi. However, Cupressocy-
paris ley land ii (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
x Cupressus macrocarpa), widely used for
hedge plantings, proved to be resistant. Nei-
ther "composted" nor "noncomposted"
fir-bark prevented Phytophthora root rot of
Lawson cypress when used in bark:soil ratios
of 1:1 and 2:1.

SMALL FRUITS

Eradication of virus in grapes. In vitro
culture of shoot-tips eradicated fanleaf from
Forta and Auxerrois (CI. 21) without heat
treatment and leafroll from Liemberger after
3 mo heat treatment of the infected plant at
38°C. New procedures developed this year

were used to root all 21 accessions cultured
from heat-treated tips.

Rapid propagation of virus-free grapes.
Murashige's minimal organic medium with
adenine sulfate at 80 mg/L, NaH2P04H20 at
170 mg/L, and benzylaminopurine at 2-4 mg/
L produced the optimum number of shoots in
80-90% of all genotypes tested. From 60 to
100% of the proliferated shoots root in 8-21
days.

Rapid propagation of the Saskatoon (Ame-
lanchier alnifolia). The Saskatoon cv. Smoky
proliferates readily in Murashige's minimal
organic medium with benzylaminopurine at
2-4 mg/L, but rooting of the proliferated
shoots is variable. Rooted expiants usually go
dormant soon after rooting. Rooting is consid-
erably better on bridges in liquid than on agar
media.

VEGETABLES

Speedling trays (72 cavity) versus 10 cm
pots for growing Vendor tomato plants. The
early and total yields and size of fruit were
higher from plants grown in speedling trays
than from 10 cm pots if the plants were
transplanted at the four- or five-leaf stage.
With older plants, yields from the speedling
grown plants were generally lower than from
the 10 cm pots, but the percentage of large
fruit remained higher.

Micronutrient concentration for long En-
glish cucumbers grown in sawdust. Long
English cucumbers were supplied with stan-
dard macronutrients with a micronutrient mix
(Plant-Gro) at 3, 1 1, 22, or 33 mg/L. None of
the micronutrient concentrations affected
plant growth or fruit yield, and no deficiency
or toxicity symptoms were evident. However,
with micronutrients supplied at 1 1, 22, and 33
mg/L, the Bo in the leaves exceeded the
recommended level, and at 22 and 33 mg/L
the Mn in the leaves also exceeded the
recommended level.

Comparison of various micronutrient
mixes for growing long English cucumbers in
sawdust. The micronutrient mixes Plant Prod.
(21 mg/L), Green Valley (20 mg/L), 1/2-
Saanichton plus borate (8 and 0.3 mg/L,
respectively), and fritted trace elements (Pre-
Mix) mixed with sawdust at 88 g/m3 did not
have any effect on yield, but plant growth and
appearance seemed to be better with the

362

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Green Valley and 1/2-Saanichton plus borate
mixes.

Leaf analysis indicated a satisfactory Fe
level in all mixes; high Mn and Bo in all mixes
except Pre-Mix; and high Zn in the 1/2-
Saanichton and Pre-Mix treatments.

Greenhouse tomato variety trials. Twenty-
seven cultivars and hybrids were compared at
both the Research Station and a commercial
grower's greenhouse. Most of these produced
higher yields and smaller fruit than Vendor
but required more labor. Rianto, Quanto,
Hg77-455, and a selection of Vendor were the
most promising.

Supplemental lighting for growing tomato
seedlings. H PS lights for 16 and 24 h/day
increased the rate of growth, reduced the time
from seedling to transplanting by 3 wk, and
increased the number of fruit, total and early
yield. However, the supplemental lighting
reduced fruit size and percentage of large
fruits, especially with 24 h light.

Plastic tunnels and mulches. Tomato cv.
Sub-Arctic Maxi and Fireball transplanted in
double-plastic tunnels on 3 March survived
-4°C but plants in all other treatments were
killed. Planting in double-plastic tunnels
advanced earliness of ripening but produced a
lower yield (3.1 kg per plant) than plants
transplanted to clear plastic mulches on 4
April (4.2 kg).

Biological control program for whitefly
and mite control on greenhouse vegetables. In
1979, 75% of commercial greenhouse cucum-
ber growers and 38% of the tomato growers in
British Columbia participated in a coopera-
tive program of the British Columbia Minis-
try of Agriculture and Agriculture Canada to
supply whitefly parasites and mite predators.
Pesticide use was reduced and control was

satisfactory in most houses. This program is
continuing under an Agriculture and Rural
Development Subsidiary Agreement grant.

Black rot of cucumbers. The long English
cucumber varieties Princess, Greenspot, Fem-
dan, Monique, and Sporu were rated only
moderately susceptible, while Uniflora, La
Reine, Boneva, Virgo A, Pepinex, and Fem-
spot were rated very susceptible to black rot
when grown in soil infested with Phomopsis
cucurbitae. Burpee Hybrid was the only
variety tested that remained healthy. All
varieties were, however, equally susceptible to
rotting of the fruit when inoculated with the
black rot Phomopsis.

POST ENTRY QUARANTINE
STATION

In 1979, 45 tree fruits, 85 grapevines, and
76 audit samples were received from foreign
and domestic sources for indexing. In total,
50% of the uncertified tree fruits and grape
plants received from all sources were infected.

One hundred tree fruit accessions, of which
63 were heat-treated, and 32 grapevines, of
which 10 were heat-treated, were indexed and
released. The two most notable grape varieties
released were Liemberger and Miczuri-
noweic. Most of the releases will be included
in the National Repository. The grape virus
"Fleck" has been dropped from the list of
Canadian quarantinable viruses, thus releas-
ing more varieties for distribution. The reposi-
tory now contains a total of 558 tree fruits
and 249 grape cultivars. In 1979, 46 020 tree
fruit and 7500 grape buds were distributed.

With the assistance of the Vineland Re-
search Station, the enzyme-labeled immuno-
sorbent assay (ELISA) method has been
expanded for arabis mosiac, fanleaf, tomato
ringspot, and tobacco ringspot.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Nil

Miscellaneous

Harris, R. E. 1979. Tissue culture of woody plants.
West. Can. Soc. Hortic. Rep. Proc. 35th Annu.
Meet. pp. 93-96.

Lin, W. C. 1979. Evaluation of poinsettias 'Annette
Hegg Brilliant', 'Annette Hegg Top Star' and
'Dark Red Hegg'. Can. Flor. 74(12):36,37.

Lin, W. C. 1979. Nitrogen sources and growing
media for pot poinsettias. HortScience
14(3):453 (Abstract).

Lin, W. C; Molnar, J. M. 1979. Supplementary
lighting and CO: enrichment for woody orna-
mentals. HortScience 14(3):440 (Abstract).

SAAN1CHTON RESEARCH STATION. SIDNEY. B.C.

363

Molnar, J. M. 1979. Ornamentals research update. Nielson, D.; Tonks, N. V. 1979. Insecticides —
Landscape Aha. 2(4):2-3, 16-17. What's registered and effective and/or new (to

Molnar, J. M. 1979. New directions for research. inc,ude those reSistered for greenhouse as well

West. Can. Soc. Hortic. Rep. Proc. 35th Annu. as field application). Ornamentals Northwest

Meet. pp. 32-37. 3(3):19 (Abstract).

Molnar, J. M. 1979. An integrated system (light-
ing, CO, and temperature) for rooting cuttings Penrose, R.; Tonks, N. V. 1979. Winter moth
and growing liners. Ornamentals Northwest (Operophtera brumata). Ornamentals North-
3(3):6 (Abstract). west 3(3): 1 2 (Abstract).

364 RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Research Station
Summerland, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

G. C. Russell, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
H. F. Madsen, B.A., Ph.D.
L. C. Godfrey, B.Sc.
V. B. Smith,1 B.A., M.L.S.

Director

Associate Director
Head, Administration
Librarian

Entomology

R. D. McMullen, B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D.

F. L. Banham, B.A.

R. S. Downing, B.A., M.S.

A. P. Gaunce, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

H. F. Madsen, B.A., Ph.D.

M. D. Proverbs, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Bionomics of pear

psylla
Stone fruit insects
Orchard mite control
Pesticide and environmental

chemistry
Integrated control
Control of codling moth by the

sterility method

Food Processing

J. A. Kitson, B.A., M.S.

D. Britton, Dip. H.Ec

H. A. Buttkus, B.S.A., MA.

D. R. MacGregor, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

G. E. Strachan, B.S.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Engineering new

products

Home Economist
Food biochemistry
Product development and

microbiology
Enology and food technology

Plant Pathology

Vacant

A. J. Hansen, Dip. Agr., M.Sc, Ph.D.
W. J. McPhee, B.A., M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Tree fruit fungus
diseases
Tree fruit virus diseases
Tree fruit fungus diseases

RESEARCH STATION. SUMMERLAND. B.C.

365

J. T. Slykhuis, B.S.A., MSc, Ph.D.

Stone fruit virus diseases

Pomology and Viticulture

N. E. Looney, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

L. G. Denby, B.S.A., M.S.A., F.R.H.S.

W. D. Lane, B.Sc. (Agr), M.Sc., Ph.D.
M. Meheriuk, B.Sc, B.Ed., M.Sc, Ph.D.
S. W. Porritt, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Growth régulants

and agrometeorology
Rootstock and variety evaluation —

grape breeding
Fruit breeding — hardiness
Fruit biochemistry
Fruit storage

Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering

D. S. Stevenson, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

E. J. Hogue, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
P. B. Hoyt, B.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

A. L. Moyls, B.A.Sc, M.S., Ph.D.

G. H. Neilsen, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
P. Parchomchuk,2 B.A.Sc, M.S.

Head of Section; Soil moisture
Vegetation management
Soil chemistry
Agricultural equipment —

development and assessment
Soil fertility and plant nutrition
Agricultural equipment —

development and assessment

Departures

D. Britton

Retired December 1979
R. S. Downing

Retired December 1979
S. W. Porritt

Retired December 1979

Home Economist

Orchard mite control

Fruit storage

366

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

VISITING SCIENTISTS

W. A. Lampman,3 B.A.Sc, M.S. Food processing

O. Lau,4 B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Pomology

F. Mage,5 Lie. Agr., Dr. Agr. Pomology

'Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.

2On CI DA assignment from October 1979 to October 1981.

'On work transfer from University of Saskatchewan, Agricultural Engineering Department, from 15 July 1979 to

20 November 1979.
4B.C. Tree Fruits Research Associate since Julv 1976.
-On work transfer from Nj0s Agriculture Research Station in Western Norway from November 1979 to February

1980.

RESEARCH STATION. SUMMERLAND, B.C. 367

INTRODUCTION

The research programs at the Research Station, Summerland, are concerned with all
aspects of production, protection, and utilization of tree fruits and grapes. In addition to the
facilities at Summerland, substations are located at Kelowna and Creston, and numerous sites
on the properties of private cooperators are utilized to conduct research in pomology,
agricultural engineering, soils and irrigation, plant pathology, and entomology. Research into
processing and storage of products is also a major function of the Station.

This report contains a few highlights of the research during 1979 to show the fields of
endeavor and the type of experiments being conducted. More detailed information on any of
the projects and reprints of published papers are available on request from Agriculture
Canada, Research Station, Summerland, B.C. VOH 1Z0.

G. C. Russell
Director

ENTOMOLOGY

Codling moth behavior affected by
temperature regimen during rearing

The effectiveness of the sterility principle of
insect control is largely influenced by the
dispersal rate of the released insects. During
cool spring weather, male codling moths
laboratory-reared at a constant high tempera-
ture (27°C) disperse very slowly when re-
leased in orchards and respond poorly to
sexually receptive females. It was found,
however, that dispersal and sexual response
were appreciably improved during cool
weather by rearing the insects at fluctuating
temperatures (16-27 or 21-32°C). During
hot weather, flight and sexual behavior were
unaffected by the temperature regimen during
rearing. Although male moths mated about as
often, they transferred somewhat fewer eupy-
rene sperm bundles during copulation than
males that were reared at a constant high
temperature. This may be detrimental since
preliminary tests at 27°C indicated that the
addition of radiosterile moths to a fertile
population was somewhat less effective in
suppressing reproduction if the sterilized
insects were from a fluctuating temperature
colony than if they originated from a constant
temperature colony.

Fumigation of codling moth on harvested
fruit

The relative resistance of the developmen-
tal stages of codling moth to the fumigant
methyl bromide was determined. In order of
increasing resistance this was adult, larva,
egg, and pupa. There were no significant

differences in resistance among the five larval
instars, but 1 day old eggs were more resistant
than 5 day old eggs and 3 to 8 day old pupae
were more resistant than 9 day old pupae. In a
large-scale trial, more than 30 000 larvae in
cherry fruits and more than 50 000 1 to 2 day
old eggs on cherry fruits were fumigated in
three replicated lots. The fumigant dose rate
was 32 g/m3 for 2 h. The mean fruit tempera-
tures in the lots with larvae were 19.5, 23.2,
and 24.2°C and in the lots with eggs 22.2,
23.9, and 24.0°C. There were no survivors.

Sex pheromone traps for leafrollers
attacking apples

The sex pheromones of four leafroller
species were evaluated in orchards. Male
fruittree leafroller, European leafroller, and
threelined leafroller moths were attracted to
their specific pheromones, but male oblique-
banded leafroller moths were attracted both
to their own pheromone and to the pheromone
of the European leafroller. Sex pheromone
traps were found useful to identify the
leafroller species in orchards and to time
application of summer sprays for the control
of the multiple-generation obliquebanded and
threelined leafrollers. They are potentially
useful to monitor leafroller populations in
pest-managed orchards to determine if chemi-
cal controls are needed.

Control of leafrollers with environmentally
safe pesticides

Bacillus thuringiensis, diflubenzuron, and
insecticidal soap, alone and in combination,
were evaluated as pink and petal fall sprays
for control of the fruittree leafroller and the

368

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

European leafroller. B. thuringiensis gave 85-
90% mortality of larvae and prevented fruit
damage. Diflubenzuron and insecticidal soap
were ineffective and fruit damage was the
same as in the nonsprayed control. Combina-
tions of these materials did not improve
control. Sprays applied at petal fall gave
better control than sprays applied at the pink
bud stage. B. thuringiensis would be a useful
material for leafroller control because it does
not affect pollinating insects, predators, or
parasites. It is also safe to use on the Golden
Delicious cultivar which is sensitive to the
organophosphate pesticides presently recom-
mended for leafroller control.

Control of European fruit scale and San
Jose scale

In 1978, a single spray of diazinon, applied
at the pink bud stage when male European
fruit scales were starting to emerge, was as
effective in controlling the scale as an oil
spray at the mouse-ear bud stage. In 1979,
two sprays of diazinon, one at the pink bud
stage and the other at petal fall, spanned the
period of male scale emergence better and
gave more effective control than an oil spray
applied at the mouse-ear bud stage. Two
sprays of diazinon applied in July when
European fruit scale crawlers were emerging
also gave good control. Supracide (methi-
dathion) applied at the mouse-ear bud stage
gave excellent control of San Jose scale and
was more effective than oil applied at the
same period.

Effects of fungicides on a phytoseiid mite
predator

In an apple orchard, sprays of Morestan
(chinomethionate) were toxic to the mite
predator Typhlodromus occidentalism whereas
Bloc (fenarimol), Easout (thiophanate), and
wettable sulfur were low in toxicity.

Green peach aphid control on peach

Organochlorine-organophosphate resistant
strains of the green peach aphid were effec-
tively controlled by one pink bud stage spray
of pirimicarb 50 WP at an active ingredient
rate of 500 g/ha. Pirimicarb did not give
control of the peach twig borer when applied
in summer cover sprays.

Little cherry disease vector research

Since work on this project was started in
1974, a total of 47 species of insects and mites
have been tested for ability to transmit little
cherry disease. To date, 80 out of 241 tests
with the apple mealybug and two out of 58
tests with the plum rust mite have resulted in
the expression of early-senescence red-leaf
symptoms on Sam variety test trees, indica-
tive of transmission of little cherry disease. In
addition, two out of 747 noninoculated control
trees expressed similar symptoms. In 1977
and 1978, bud grafts from 10 of the positive
mealybug-tested trees, the two positive plum
rust mite-tested trees, and the two positive
noninoculated trees were placed on mature
fruiting cherry trees. The summer following
placement of the grafts, seven out of the 10
trees with grafts from the mealybug-tested
trees expressed fruit symptoms characteristic
of little cherry disease. The other seven grafts
did not result in fruit symptoms. It is con-
cluded that the apple mealybug is the vector
of little cherry disease in the Okanagan
Valley of British Columbia.

Insect and mite control on grapes

The grape erineum mite on Riesling grapes
was effectively controlled by a dormant or a
late dormant (prior to the wooly bud stage)
spray of liquid lime sulfur, 22.5 L/ha.

First- and second-generation Virginia-
creeper leafhopper nymphs were effectively
controlled by sprays of carbaryl 50 WP
applied at an active ingredient rate of 0.28
kg/ha when over 80% of the leafhopper eggs
hatched. This timing of the treatments did not
significantly reduce parasitism of the leafhop-
per eggs by the endemic Mymarid parasite,
Anagrus epos.

FOOD PROCESSING

Extrusion forming of dehydrated fruit
snacks

Dehydrated fruit snacks may be prepared
from a mixture of low-moisture fruit sauce
flakes and fruit juice concentrate. The form-
ing of bars from flake plus concentrate
mixtures has been mechanized by develop-
ment of an inexpensive continuous extruder.
In the extruder a meat grinder auger is used
as a feed screw to force the product through a
single rectangular nozzle. This nozzle is steam
jacketed to heat the product slightly and

RESEARCH STATION, SUMMERLAND, B.C.

369

produce smooth-surfaced bars. The resulting
continuous extrusion is cut into bars of the
length and weight desired.

Mushroom processing

A lucrative export market exists for wild
mushrooms from British Columbia. The pine
mushroom {Armillaria ponderosa) is highly
prized in Japan and a considerable tonnage is
exported from the province. The chanterelle
(Cantharellus cibarius) has a ready market in
Europe. There is a possibility of processing
these mushrooms for export. Formulations
and processes have been developed for canned
pine mushrooms in brine and sauce and for
canned chanterelle. In addition, freeze-drying
and rehydration techniques for pine mush-
rooms have been elaborated. Pine mushrooms
preserved in 24% salt brine can also be
successfully desalted and processed.

Synthetic sweeteners for low-calorie fruit
spreads

Storage tests on aspartylphenylalanine
(Aspartame) in low-calorie fruit spreads were
continued to 38 wk. At a level of 0.2% added
Aspartame (approximately equivalent in
sweetness to 40% sugar) no residual sweeten-
ing effect remained after storage at 38°C. At
other temperatures sweetness from Aspar-
tame dropped rapidly during preparation
followed by a gradual decline in storage, with
the rate of decline being lower at lower
temperatures. It would probably be economi-
cally feasible to manufacture Aspartame-
containing low-calorie fruit spreads if a
practical means were found to avoid Aspar-
tame losses due to heating in preparation. It
would also be necessary to cool products after
manufacture.

Dehydrated compressed rations

Storage trials of 1 yr show that dehydrated
compressed meat and biscuit bars packed in
vacuum in foil laminate pouches retain full
acceptability after 1 yr at room temperature.
At 38°C meat bars have a distinct overcooked
odor and flavor. Biscuit bars suffer some loss
of flavor but are still acceptable after 17
months at 38°C.

Effluent recirculation blancher

A COPI contract to construct and test a 1
t/h unit has been let and considerable design
work has been done with the contractor.
Completion date is aimed for 31 March 1980

and it will be tested in the 1980 season. This
steam-generating unit should be compatible
with the improved K-l blancher designed in
Kentville. The combination of the K-l
blancher with effluent recirculation would
provide the most energy-efficient blanching
system presently available.

Little cherry (LC) — nucleic acid analysis

Work to develop a chemical test for the
detection of LC virus infected trees was
continued. Purification to make leaf tissue
extracts suitable for gel electrophoresis was
achieved by partitioning the polysaccharides
between methoxyethanol and high ionic
strength phosphate buffer. When subjected to
electrophoresis on 5% polyacrylamide, ex-
tracts from control trees did not show the
characteristic pink RNA bands on top of the
gels nor did they contain the centrally located
faint bands. Although the technique involved
time-consuming dialysis and freeze-drying
steps, the location of the RNA bands, as well
as the rate of destaining, permitted differen-
tiation between LC infected and healthy
tissue. Extracts of fruit buds also gave charac-
teristic electrophoretograms of LC infected
tissue and may thus provide year-round
samples for testing of diseased trees.

Winemaking trials with wine grapes grown
in CDA and BCMA test plots

Twenty-four of 89 grape cultivars were
dropped from testing following the severely
cold winter of 1978-1979. Following a June
1979 wine industry workshop, revised evalua-
tion standards were prepared to fulfill the
needs of industry. Weather during the au-
tumn of 1979 was near optimum for the
development of grapes. Sixty-six varieties
have been analyzed and used for wine-making
trials from the 1979 harvest.

Inhibition of secondary fermentation of
wines by potassium sorbate

Work continued during 1979 on the deter-
mination of conditions necessary for the
stabilization of wines stored in flexible, ox-
ygen-permeable packages. Strains of yeast
were isolated from nine wineries in Ontario
and British Columbia in order to assess the
sorbate resistance of naturally occurring
strains. The most resistant strain was resistant
to 1000 ppm sorbic acid when grown in a
standard yeast medium at neutral pH. In wine

370

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

500 ppm was sufficient to inhibit all strains
tested.

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Evaluation of new fungicides for disease
control

Only two of 24 chemicals screened were
found promising for the control of "bunch
rot" caused by Botrytis cinerea on grapes, and
two for control of powdery mildew caused by
Podosphaera leucotricha on apples. In pack-
inghouse trials, Rovral was effective for
controlling green mold caused by Alternaria
spp. on cherries.

Postharvest disorders

A rot of apples and pears at first attributed
to Corticium centrifugum has been increasing
in frequency over the past 5 yr and now
appears to be a serious problem to the
industry. Recent studies show that the causal
organism is a low temperature basidiomycete
with an optimum growth temperature of 10°C
which is not typical of C. centrifugum. The
source of the inoculum for this disease is not
known, but symptoms have been observed
only after prolonged cold storage.

Last year (1978) a very high level of rot
was found in a lot of Golden Delicious in cold
storage at the Research Station. The orchard
from which these apples came is being scruti-
nized to find the source of the inoculum.
Results to date suggest that infection does not
occur before mid-August.

Routine evaluation of field resistance

A system to evaluate the development of
resistance of fungi to fungicides has been
developed to approximate the population
dynamics of field conditions. It consists of a
continuous culturing apparatus that main-
tains a representative fungal population. The
population can be subjected to a fungicide to
determine how rapidly a resistant population
is generated.

A response pattern plotted for benomyl, a
chemical for which a great deal of field data is
available, indicates the rate at which resistant
cells are generated. Also it shows that under
normal conditions the resistant strains remain
a small fraction of the total population
because they have a slower growth rate than
the normal, nonresistant strains. Comparing
these rates with the rate for new chemicals for

which field data are not available should give
some indication of the potential of the new
chemical for generating resistant strains in
the field.

Little cherry disease in British Columbia

Indexing for little cherry disease in the
greenhouse, formerly attempted unsuccess-
fully, was done successfully by growing
inoculated Sam test trees in the greenhouse
from February to May then moving them
outdoors to a lightly shaded, frost-protected
location. Red-leaf symptoms indicative of
little cherry disease developed on test trees in
early June.

In orchards where trees that developed
little cherry disease in 1978 had been re-
moved, other trees that would develop little
cherry fruit symptoms in 1979 were not
reliably detected by fluorescence microscopy,
electron microscopy, the presence of specific
ribose nucleic acids, or indexing on Sam.

A graft-transmissible agent which caused
red-leaf symptoms on Sam test trees but
which did not cause little cherry fruit symp-
toms was isolated from some orchard trees.

Attempts to transmit the little cherry virus
by pollen, seed, soil, rubbing, cutting, or other
artificial means were not successful unless
some form of grafting was involved.

Effect of virus inhibitor on apple chlorotic
leaf spot virus

The effect of carboxamide Ribavirin on
apple chlorotic leaf spot virus was tested
under greenhouse conditions. This inhibitor
had been used elsewhere to prevent the
multiplication of human and animal viruses
but had never been used against tree fruit
viruses. The tests were conducted by treating
young Chenopodium quinoa plants with vari-
ous concentrations of Ribavirin before or after
inoculation with the virus. The results showed
that 500 ppm Ribavirin were most effective
and caused only slight toxicity to the plants.
At this concentration virus multiplication was
completely inhibited if Ribavirin was applied
between 2 days before and 8 h after inocula-
tion of the test plants. It was shown that the
inhibitor can be applied successfully by leaf
spray, drench of the potting soil, or brief sand
culture. Ribavirin is absorbed into the plant in
less than 1 h and is rapidly translocated from
the roots to the leaves. Tests are being
continued to see whether the material can be
used to eliminate virus from infected trees. It

RESEARCH STATION. SUMMERLAND. B.C.

371

may be especially useful in those cases where
other methods such as heat treatment have
not been successful.

POMOLOGY AND VITICULTURE

Thinning plus growth regulators improve
grape yield and quality

Superimposed on cluster thinned and un-
thinned deChaunac grapes were gibberellic
acid (GA3) at 50 ppm 1 wk after full bloom in
1976, 1977, and 1978; cycocel at 500 ppm 1
wk before full bloom in 1976; and benzylade-
nine (BA) in 1978. Thinning increased set
(1976, 1977) and soluble solids and total
sugar per vine (all years). It reduced acidity
and improved tannin in 1976 but not in 1977
or 1978. Cycocel increased set but reduced
quality while BA had no effect. GA3 plus
thinning was the best treatment. Increased
berry weight and soluble solids more than
made up for reduced set and resulted in 18%
more total sugar during the 3 yr.

Gibberellic acid affects sweet cherry
ripening

Lambert (L) and Compact Lambert (CL)
were treated with gibberellic acid (GA3) at 40
ppm on 1 1 June, then ripening parameters
were measured at weekly intervals until 17
July. Lambert developed 25% surface red on
26 June and CL on 1 July. GA3 delayed L
coloring 5 days and CL 4 days but did not
influence rate of increase of soluble solids or
fruit weight. Respiration decreased each
week, as expected, but ethylene increased
after 3 July (beginning of stage III). The GA3
influenced fruit coloring but not other ripen-
ing parameters.

Testing apple storage quality

Risk of Spartan breakdown is low at 30
ppm flesh calcium (fresh weight) if the fruit is
sold before February. Calcium (Ca) levels
change during growth and with season and
location so it must be assayed 2 wk or less
before harvest to accurately predict storage
quality. Low-Ca fruit must either be dipped
or sold after short storage. This year an
atomic absorption procedure was developed to
analyze 50 samples per person daily, with
results available after 3 days. Of 78 orchards,
one-third had Ca levels lower than 20 ppm,
indicating high risk.

In vitro propagation of pear and woody
ornamentals

Large numbers of Bartlett pear plants were
obtained from meristem-tip cultures. Only
benzyladenine (BA) (5 jJiM) was required for
proliferation, giving a yield of 50 shoots per
month from each culture. Inverting decapi-
tated shoots in medium and regular pruning
induced synchronous shoot growth and in-
creased shoot number. Shoots rooted (70%)
after 3 wk in 10 (JiM NAA and were transfer-
red to the greenhouse and field. Spiraea
bumalda 'Anthony Waterer' and Prunus
cistena yielded 300 and 35 shoots per cycle
(respectively) in Murashige and Skoog me-
dium with 5 [lM BA. Rooting was optimum
at 0.1 flM NAA (Spiraea) or 1 jlM
(Prunus). These results show that woody as
well as herbaceous species can be easily
propagated from meristem tips in vitro.

Training methods affect precocity of Anjou
pears

Cumulative yield from the 1977, 1978, and
1979 crops was measured from the following
treatments on trees planted 2.44 x 4.88 m in
1974: normal pruning, spreading, planting at
45°C, spindle (branches tied down), and
double arm 45°C with 30 cm high base.
Spindle pruning yielded most, 19 t/ha, and
double arm least, 5.75 t/ha. Spindle trees
filled the space but were taller and required
more labor than double arm.

Pear variety testing

Swiss Bartlett compared to Bartlett was
3-5 days earlier and firmer at harvest matur-
ity. Eating quality and flavor were excellent
and acidity when ripe was greater than in
Bartlett. Spartlett may prove valuable for
winter sales because of good size, appearance,
and general quality.

Rate of cooling and CA establishment
affects Golden Delicious apple quality

Experimental treatments included cooling
to 0°C core temperature in 3 or 10 days with
CA establishment in 2 or 20 days. Both fast
cooling treatments resulted in fruit 0.35 kg
firmer, but soluble solids and acidity were
similar in all treatments.

372

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Effect of temperature and keltrol
concentration on calcium uptake by Spartan
apple

Keltrol/CaCl2 solution temperature of 10°C
resulted in 10-15% greater Ca uptake than at
20°C, probably because of higher viscosity.
Four percent CaCl2 with as low as 0.05%
keltrol resulted in fruit Ca increased in the
desired range of 140-150 ppm (dry weight).
A drain time of 5 min reduced inconvenient
spillage and was not slower than at 20°C at
the 0.05% keltrol concentration.

Physiological injury to Delicious apples
caused by ethoxyquin

A CaCl2/keltrol/ethoxyquin dip plus CA
storage resulted in soft scaldlike degradation
combined with sharp, pungent taste uncharac-
teristic of soft scald. In air storage only small
lesions developed, particularly where fruit
touched. At lower ethoxyquin levels injury
was reduced but scald was not controlled.
Research to combine CaCl2 and ethoxyquin
effectively is in progress.

Nectarine variety testing

Several recent acquisitions fruited and were
assessed for the 2nd yr consecutively. John
Rivers is a white-fleshed variety slightly later
than N.J. N-21, with little promise of proving
to be superior. Pocahontas is a promising
yellow fleshed, highly colored early variety
which to date has proved firmer than any
cultivar ripening in the same season. Hardired
has fruited so heavily, despite normal thin-
ning, that extra care and expense would be
involved in its culture. It matured with Early
Sungrand and Nectared 5, and though equal
or better in flavor than Nectared, it was rated
well below Early Sungrand.

SOIL SCIENCE AND
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Herbicides for apple and grape 1st yr
plantings

The best single herbicide treatment for the
control of weeds in a newly planted apple
orchard on M-26 rootstock was a directed
application of oxyfluorfen at 2 kg/ha when
weeds were 5 cm high. This treatment pro-
vided contact and residual control of all weeds
for more than 2 mo. Trifluralin applied

pretransplant-incorporated followed by oxadi-
azon granular posttransplant gave good weed
control until midsummer.

Two treatments provided excellent weed
control in newly planted Himrod grapes with
no apparent phytotoxicity to the grape plants.
Two applications of oryzalin plus napro-
pamide, each at 4 kg/ha in spring and
midsummer, and trifluralin pretransplant at
0.8 kg/ha followed by oryzalin at 4 kg/ha
posttransplant gave almost complete weed
control throughout the season.

Quack grass inhibition of apple seedling
growth

The growth of apple seedlings in the same
nutrient solution containers as quack grass
plants was severely inhibited, notwithstanding
adequate supplies of essential nutrients and
water, and lack of competition for light.
When quack grass plants were grown in a
nutrient solution for 1 wk and replaced by
apple seedlings, their growth was also severely
inhibited. Normal growth of either groups
resumed when transferred to fresh solutions.

Calcium nutrition

Leaf and soil analyses were continued on
the soil calcium experiment commenced in
1974 in the substation orchard. Mean fruit
weight and fruit Ca have been unaffected by
any treatment for the 1975-1978 apple har-
vests. Significantly depressed leaf Zn and leaf
Mn were measured during 1978 for a number
of the Ca(OH)2 treatments. Soil sampling to
60 cm depth in the treated plots indicated that
significantly increased soil pH and increased
exchangeable Ca were restricted to the top 10
cm of the soil. Thus, 5 yr after Ca application
to the surface of the soil, the failure of fruit
Ca to show significant increase may reflect
the lack of significant Ca increase in the main
tree rooting zone.

Systematic soil sampling around two fruit
trees at three depths identified a surface zone
(0-20 cm depth) encircling the trees at 1-2 m
from the trunk with depressed extractable
cations and decreased pH. This surface zone
was tentatively associated with a previous
banded surface application of NH4S04
fertilizer.

RESEARCH STATION, SUMMERLAND, B.C.

373

Soil N in field plots

Elevated soil N03-N values were found in
herbicide-treated plots compared to sod plots.
Both plots were fertilized with N at 100 kg/
ha. Plot differences persisted throughout the
growing season (April-October). Large soil
NO,-N reductions had occurred under grass
by May after fertilization on 10 April. In
contrast, high soil NO,-N values persisted in
herbicide-treated plots until October. This
could represent a potential for winter damage
to fruit trees.

Trickle irrigation

Monitoring of 10 field trickle systems in
commercial orchards has revealed that since
intermittently operated systems plug only
rarely, chlorine injections have little or no
effect on the incidence of emitter plugging
even with suspended solids up to 10 ppm. The
chlorine treatment is effective in continuously
operated systems although some plugging
occurs despite chlorine treatment.

Lysimeter studies: results from 1 October
1978 to 30 September 1979

From large lysimeters containing a sandy
loam soil in which 5 yr old Mcintosh apple
trees are growing, only 10% and 15% of the
irrigation water plus rain and snow was
returned as drainage water under grass cover
crop and clean cultivation, respectively. The
12 mo application of water was 692 mm as

irrigation and 208 mm as natural precipita-
tion. Despite the small return flows of water,
nitrogen losses differed widely depending
upon the presence or absence of grass and
upon the rate of N fertilization. Rates of
elemental N application were 162 and 324
kg/ha. At the low rate, N losses to ground-
water were 6 and 81 kg/ha under grass and
bare ground, respectively. At the high rate, N
losses to groundwater were 48 and 139 kg/ha
under grass and bare ground, respectively.
The different rates of N fertilization showed
no differences in tree performance. The
higher N losses represent potentially serious
losses of N and contamination of ground-
waters. Grass cover is obviously a key factor
in retaining nitrogen but apparently even that
can be overloaded with too high an applica-
tion of N.

Fruit drying

A prototype commercial fruit dryer was
designed and constructed following experi-
mental tests on the drying of purées into fruit
leathers. The tests investigated the effects of
air temperature, air velocity turbulence, tray
spacing, and tray material. The resulting
dryer incorporated a moveable tray dolly, a
633 MJ/h gas heater and a 9440 dmVs air
blower. The unit was capable of dehydrating
680 kg of purée into 136 kg of fruit leather in
about 4 h. It is now in commercial production
where, by completely filling the trays, 227 kg
of leather are produced from 1 134 kg of purée
in about 8 h.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Hansen, A. J. 1979. Inhibition of apple chlorotic
leaf spot virus in Chenopodium quinoa by
Ribavarin. Plant Dis. Rep. 63(1 ):17-20.

Hansen, A. J.; Lesemann, D. E. 1978. Occurrence
and characteristics of a seed-transmitted poty
virus from Indian, African and North Ameri-
can Guar. Phytopathology 68:841-846.

Lane, W. D. 1979. Regeneration of apple plants
from shoot meristem tips. Plant Sci. Lett.
30:781-785.

Lane, W. D. 1979. Influence of growth regulators
on root and shoot initiation from flax meristem
tips and hypocotyls in vitro. Physiol. Plant.
45:260-264.

Lane, W. D. 1979. Pollination of self-fertile sweet
cherry. HortScience 54(l):87-89.

Lane, W. D. Regeneration of pear plants from
shoot meristem tips. Plant Sci. Lett. 16: 337-
342.

Lane, W. D. 1979. In vitro propagation of Spirea
bumalda and Prunus cistena from shoot api-
ces. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:1025-1029.

Lidster, P. D.; Porritt, S. W.; Tung, M. A. 1979.
Effects of a delay in storage on fruit firmness
and disorder in Spartan apples. J. Am. Soc.
Hortic. Sci. 104(3):298-300.

Lidster, P. D.; Tung, M. A. 1979. Identification of
deformation parameters and fruit response to
mechanical damage in sweet cherry. J. Am.
Soc. Hortic. Sci. 104(6):808-81 1.

374

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Looney, N. E. 1979. Some effects of gibberellins A4
A7 plus benzyladenine on fruit weight, shape,
quality, Ca content and storage behaviour of
'Spartan apple'. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci.
103(3):389-391.

Looney, N. E.; Killick, R. J. 1979. Apricot blossom
thinning with dinitro-or//io-butylphenol. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:741-746.

Madsen, H. F.; Carty, B. E. 1979. Codling moth
(Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae) suppression by
male removal with sex pheromone traps in
three British Columbia orchards. Can. Ento-
mol. 111:627-630.

Mason, J. L. 1979. Increasing calcium content of
calcium sensitive tissues. Comm. Soil Sci.
Plant Anal. 10(1 &2):349-371.

Meheriuk, M. 1979. The effect of harvest on the
response of 'Golden Delicious' apples to Co
treatment. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:531-534.

Meheriuk, M.; Lau, S. 1979. The relationship of
mineral content to quality in 'Golden Deli-
cious' apples. Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:525-526.

Neilsen, G. H.; Culley, J. L. 1978. N portions of
final summary report. Agricultural watershed
studies. Great Lakes Drainage Basin Canada.
Task Group C (Canadian Section), Interna-
tional Reference Group on Great Lakes Pollu-
tion from Land Use Activities. 103 pp.

Neilsen, G. H.; Culley, J. L.; Cameron, D. R. 1978.
Nitrogen loadings from agricultural activities
in the Great Lakes Basin. Integration Report
on Nitrogen. Agricultural Watershed Studies.
International Reference Group on Great Lakes
Pollution from Land Use Activities. IJC. 103
pp.

Olorunda, A. O.; Oboaba, F. O. 1978. Food
preservation by ionizing radiation in Nigeria.
Food Preserv. Irradiât. 1:53-60.

Porritt, S. W.; Lidster, P. D. 1979. Ammonia
detection in controlled atmosphere storage.
Can. J. Plant Sci. 59:551-552.

Stevenson, D. S. 1979. Lysimeter investigations of
water use drainage return flows and nitrogen
losses under irrigated orchard management.
ICID Bull., July 1979, 28(2):56-58.

Wilcox, J.C.I 979. Some effects of use of transpar-
ent shields over small evaporimeters. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 59:445-451.

Miscellaneous

Banham, F. L. 1978. Stone fruit pest management.
Proc. 10th Annu. BCFGA Hortic. Forum, p.
101.

Denby, L. G. 1979. Grape bud injury at Summer-
land, Winter 78-79. B.C. Grower Apr. :28-31 .

Denby, L. G. 1979. Heat unit accumulation as a
factor in determining which grapes to grow.
B.C. Grower June:26-30.

Denby, L. G.; Vielvoye, J. 1979. Injury to grapes
following winter of 78-79. B.C. Grower
July:26-30.

Hansen, A. J.; Stace-Smith, R. 1978. Golden
elderberries — Some are no-no's. Landscape/
Paysage Can. Feb.:4.

Hogue, E. J. 1979. Orchard floor vegetation man-
agement. B.C. Grower 1(12): 19-21.

Kitson, J. A. 1979. Summerland's Food Processing
Section celebrates 50 years' service to industry.
B.C. Grower, pp. 5-10.

Lane, W. D. 1979. Fruit variety testing schemes
here and elsewhere. Proc. 10th Annu. BCFGA
Hortic. Forum, pp. 37-38.

Looney, N. E. 1979. Panel on apple tree training.
B.C. Grower 1(11):6.

Madsen, H. F. 1978. Use of pheromones in pest
management. Proc. 10th Annu. BCFGA Hor-
tic. Forum, p. 92.

Madsen, H. F. 1979. Leafrollers: An increasing
problem in Okanagan orchards. B.C. Grower
Mar.:8, 9, 24.

Madsen, H. F.; Madsen, B. J. 1979. Obliquebanded
and three-lined leafrollers in the Okanagan
and Similkameen Valleys of British Columbia.
BCM A Pest Control Notes Oct.: 1 2.

McMullen, R. D.; Proctor, P. J. 1979. Pear pest
and disease management. Proc. 10th Annu.
BCFGA Hortic. Forum, pp. 98-101 .

McPhee, W. J. 1978. Control of brown rot in stone
fruits. Proc. 10th Annu. BCFGA Hortic.
Forum, p. 75.

McPhee, W. J. 1979. Producing pesticides is a
costly business. B.C. Grower Feb.:8, 25.

Meheriuk, M.; Denby, L. G. 1979. An evaluation of
several pear varieties. B.C. Grower July:8- 1 0.

Porritt, S. W. 1979. Nutrition and apple quality.
B.C. Grower June:4-5.

Stevenson, D. S.; Munn, D. M. 1979. Evapotranspi-
ration and evaporation: weekly summaries for
southern British Columbia from 1969 to 1977.
Agric. Can. Summerland Res. Stn. Bull. Publ.
157 pp.

RESEARCH STATION, SUMMERLAND, B.C.

375

Research Station
Vancouver, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

M. Weintraub, B.A., Ph.D., F.N.Y.A.S.
H. A. Reid

Director
Administrative Officer

Scientific Support

C. M. Cutler,1 B.A., M.L.S.

T. Matsumoto,1 B.S.A., M.Sc., M.L.S.

Library Coordinator, Pacific Area
Librarian

Statistical Services

J. W. Hall, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Statistician

Entomology

A. R. Forbes, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

W. T. Cram, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.
D. G. Finlayson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

B. D. Frazer, B.Sc., Ph.D.
J. Raine, B.S.A., M.S.

A. T. S. Wilkinson, B.S.A.
P. Zuk, B.A.

Head of Section; Aphids —
morphology
Strawberry insects — ecology
Root maggots — toxicology
Aphid ecology

Berry insects — leafhopper vectors
Soil insects
Stored-product insects

Plant Pathology

N. S. Wright, B.S.A. , M.S.A., Ph.D.

H. A. Daubeny, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.
S. H. De Boer, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
F. C. Mellor, B.S.A.
H. S. Pepin, B.S.A., M.A., Ph.D.
R. Stace-Smith, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Potato diseases —

serology

Plant breeding — small fruits
Bacterial diseases

Strawberry viruses — thermotherapy
Root rots— red stele of strawberry
Raspberry viruses — virus

characterization

research station, Vancouver, b.c.

377

T. C. Vrain, D.E.A., PhD.

Nematology

Virus Chemistry and Physiology

H. W. J. Ragetli, Ir., PhD.

R. I. Hamilton, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

G. G. Jacoli, B.A., Ph.D.

J. H. Tremaine,2 B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Head of Section; Chemistry and
ultrastructural cytopathology of
viruses

Virology — virus interactions and
seed transmission

Biochemical virology

Biophysical virology

VISITING SCIENTISTS

D. C. Ramsdell, B.Sc., Ph.D.

On sabbatical from Michigan State
University (to June 1979).

Plant virology

Postgraduate students

D. J. Donnelly, B.Sc.

S. M. Haber, B.Sc, M.Sc.

D. Henderson, B.Sc, M.Sc

T. L. Molefe, B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

A. Rowhani, B.Sc, M.Sc.

L. Roze, B.Sc, M.Sc.

A. Smulders, B.Sc.

Plant virology
Plant virology
Entomology
Plant virology
Plant virology
Entomology
Plant pathology

'Seconded from Libraries Division. Finance and Administration Branch.

:On transfer of work at John Inncs Institute, Norwich, England (June 1979 - June 1980).

378

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

INTRODUCTION

The Research Station, Vancouver, is the national center for plant virus research, and
additionally serves regional agriculture in problems of plant pathology and entomology.
Consequently, this report deals with various aspects of plant virology and virus diseases,
ranging through investigations of the virus entities in vitro, their mode of transmission, and
their biochemical and ultrastructural effects, all of which culminate in symptom expression and
economic crop loss. The report also gives results of research aimed at helping to solve
agricultural problems of an immediate and urgent nature, such as the little cherry disease,
local epidemics by fungi or insects in small fruit crops and vegetables, and biological control of
noxious weeds both in the lower mainland and in the interior.

Requests for details of our research program, for reprints of this report, or for reprints of
publications listed should be addressed to individual scientists or to: Research Station,
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 6660 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1X2.

M. Weintraub
Director

VIRUS CHEMISTRY AND
PHYSIOLOGY

Physical, chemical, and serological
properties of viruses in vitro

Limited proteolysis of the bean and cowpea
strains of southern bean mosaic virus yielded
approximately 12 peptides from each strain.
The peptides isolated from each strain had
similar but not identical amino acid composi-
tion and the one peptide from each strain
contained the acetylated N-terminal amino
acid. Cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage of
the whole coat protein of each strain yielded a
highly basic peptide (DB-1) from each. The
peptide from the bean strain contained 48
amino residues but the peptide from the
cowpea strain contained 52 amino acids.
Cleavage of these basic peptides with trypsin
yielded most of the peptides isolated by
limited proteolysis of the whole virus includ-
ing the peptide containing the acetylated
N-terminus. These CNBr peptides are there-
fore the N-terminal regions of the virus coat
proteins. In experiments with the bean strain,
antiserum to SDS-dissociated virus reacted
with the CB-1 peptide and gave a reaction of
partial identity when the CB-1 peptide and
the SDS-dissociated virus were compared in
gel diffusion tests. The CB-1 peptide did not
react with antiserum to SDS-dissociated
trypsin-treated virus. Gel diffusion tests
between trypsin-treated virus and SBMV,
with SBMV antiserum, did not show differ-
ences in their serological properties.

The amino acid composition, behavior in
SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, re-
action with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate
(TNBS), and electrophoretic patterns of
CNBr peptides of tobacco etch virus (TEV)
capsid protein were compared before and
after limited proteolysis by storage at 4°C or
by trypsin treatment. About 45% of the lysine
residues were lost, while only 20% of the
capsid protein chain was cleaved during
limited proteolysis. Reaction of TEV with the
lysyl-specific reagent TNBS, before and after
limited proteolysis, suggested that at least six
lysyl residues per protein subunit were lost
during the degradation. The electrophoretic
patterns of CNBr peptides revealed the loss of
at least two protein fragments upon the
limited proteolysis of the capsid protein.
These results indicate that the condition of
the capsid protein must be defined when the
above properties are to be used in potyvirus
characterization.

Virus infection

Attempts to obtain in situ evidence for virus
receptor sites on leaf outer cell walls and to
establish the pathway followed by the virus on
its way to the leaf cell protoplasts were
continued. In this context, the effect of Pb
acetate on leaf surfaces was examined, as
reflected by changes in the number of virus-
induced primary lesions and by Pb deposits
visible by electron microscopy. Pb acetate
treatment reduced the number of lesions
caused by TNV on Phaseolus vulgaris by at
least 50%; in vivo, the outer cell wall was

RESEARCH STATION, VANCOUVER, B.C.

379

permeable to Pb, and the pathway followed
may be determined by an irregular network of
channels running from the cuticle to the
plasma lemma. Occasionally some Pb was
deposited nondestructively within the proto-
plast of epidermal and mesophyll cells.

Several compounds were tested for their in
situ effect on virus infection. The neutral
detergent X-100 suppressed local lesion devel-
opment when leaves were treated with dilute
solutions of the detergent after inoculation,
but not when leaves were treated prior to
inoculation. Detergent applied simultaneously
with the virus also had no effect, even at a
concentration five times higher than used in
the separate applications. Bentonite, dusted
on leaves prior to virus inoculation, reduced
local lesion development to less than 10% of
controls. This effect could not be attributed to
direct virus-bentonite interaction on the leaf
surfaces, since supernatants of low-speed-
centrifuged mixtures with bentonite-to-virus
ratios greater than those on the leaves during
inoculation did not show the same reduction
in lesion numbers. The effect of early treat-
ment of inoculated leaves with RNAse solu-
tions was strong and highly concentration-
dependent, possibly indicating competition
between enzyme and virus for receptor sites.
The effect of treatment xk-2 h after inocula-
tion was weaker and far less dependent on
enzyme concentration, possibly reflecting
enzyme action on exposed viral RNA. These
hypotheses are being investigated further.

Biological properties of viruses

It was demonstrated that in mixed infec-
tions pseudorecombinants could be formed
between the genomic RNAs of strains of
cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), and that
parental types could be regenerated. Further-
more, RNA 1 determined the type of local
lesion in Nicotiana clevelandii, and the ability
to induce systemic symptoms in Gomphrena
globosa; RNA 2 determined systemic symp-
toms in N. clevelandii and TV. tabacum (cvs.
Xanthi and Samsum), and local and systemic
symptoms in Chenopodium spp.

Ultrastructural responses to virus infection

A comparative study involving at least
seven plant families and 26 species revealed
that two types of membrane-bound cytoplas-
mic crystals occur, with fine or coarse ele-
ments, and that each type may be restricted to
certain families. If confirmed, this feature

would be a potential taxonomic characteristic.
The coarser crystals were widespread among
Compositae, with some species in this family
having similar but nonmembrane-bound crys-
tals in their chloroplasts. A possible link
between catalase and the chloroplast crystals
is being considered.

Virus transmission by seed and pollen

Attempts were made to improve the sero-
logical assay for pea seed borne mosaic virus
in pea and other legumes. The latex aggluti-
nation test appears promising for both leaf
and seed extracts. By this test the virus can be
detected in samples containing only 2-3%
infected material. Furthermore, the test re-
quires considerably less antiserum than the
currently used gel diffusion method.

Aster yellows disease

The pathological effects of mycoplasma-
like organisms in plants often result from
subtle changes in auxin levels. Because of the
extremely low concentration of the active
compounds, quantitative estimates are very
difficult. The biological assay method for
auxin was variable and cumbersome, so an
immunoassay method was considered, which
requires as a first step complexing of auxin to
bovine serum albumin (BSA). Therefore, a
BSA-auxin hemisuccinate conjugate was
prepared, which when assayed by differential
UV analysis, contained approximately eight
to nine molecules of auxin hemisuccinate per
BSA molecule. The complex was purified and
injected into rabbits. The antiserum was
purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation
and ion exchange chromatography. It showed
a specific titer of 1:320 and a nonspecific titer
of 1:20. The immunoassay of auxin by the
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) method is now in progress.

Little cherry disease (LCD)

Research was directed mainly toward diag-
nosis of diseased trees by other than fruit
symptoms, and isolation of the disease agent
or agents. Light microscopy revealed the
presence of many CaC03 crystals in the
petiole tissue of some diseased experimental
trees. Subsequent analysis of extracts from
healthy and diseased tissues by atomic abs-
orption spectroscopy revealed that Ca levels
appear to be lower than Mg levels in diseased
tissue, and higher than Mg in healthy tissue.

380

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

Potassium levels showed no difference. Ultra-
violet and visible light spectroscopy of the
extracts showed no qualitative differences in
the 250-700 nm range, but interesting quanti-
tative differences were observed in the 250-
300 nm range.

Leaf rooting experiments to obtain suitable
tissue for preparative isolation of the LCD
agent(s) progressed only to the callus forma-
tion phase. Attempts to find a herbaceous host
by leaf grafting or incision inoculation also
were inconclusive. Therefore, isolation was
attempted directly from cherry leaf tissue,
which is generally unsuitable for virus isola-
tion. To overcome the destructive conditions
in the extracts an entirely new isolation
procedure was developed, which is yielding
preparations of viruslike rod-shaped particles
1-1.2 nm by 1 1 nm. In the course of this work
a spherical virus, differing from the usual
cherry viruses, was also isolated from the
LCD material, and an unusual pollen-borne
spherical virus was found associated with
pollen from Stella {Prunus avium).

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Virology

Virus identification and characterization.
A virus, tentatively designated 'blueberry leaf
mottle virus', was isolated from highbush
blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum. The virus
is serologically related to the nematode-
transmitted grapevine Bulgarian latent virus.

Potato leaf roll virus was purified. Its
antiserum, used in enzyme-linked immunosor-
bent assay (ELISA), consistently detected the
virus in infected foliage but not in dormant
tubers. Characterization studies showed that
the virus is a member of the luteovirus group
and that its ribonucleic acid has a molecular
weight of 2.0 x 106.

Raspberry bushy dwarf virus in raspberry
can cause some leaf abnormalities, crumbly
fruit, and yield reduction. Sap transmission
from raspberry to Chenopodium quinoa was
determined to be a reliable indexing method.
Failure to recover raspberry bushy dwarf
virus from certain raspberry selections which
had been graft inoculated indicates that a
source of immunity exists among some
cultivars.

Virus-free potatoes

Twenty-three new accessions were rendered
virus-free by heat therapy and meristem tip
propagation. The virus-free potato collection
currently contains 52 cultivars now licensed
for seed certification in Canada and 75 others.
Twelve of the licensed cultivars are repre-
sented by two to nine clones from separate
sources. In 1979, 139 tuber samples were sent
on request to potato improvement agencies,
growers, or research establishments in seven
provinces, five states, Australia, Brazil, The
Peoples' Republic of China, and USSR.

The annual survey for potato viruses X and
S in seed potato control areas involved 200 ha
of Elite and Foundation seed. Neither virus
was found on 23 of the 28 farms surveyed. Of
the total, 166 ha (83%) were apparently virus-
free; the remainder contained up to 6.4%
infection as estimated from confidence inter-
val tables (P = 0.05).

Small fruits

Strawberry. The red stele disease of straw-
berry, caused by Phytophthora fragariae, was
controlled by drenching soil in spring and fall
for two successive years with either of two test
fungicides, LS 74-783 (Aliette, Rhône-
Poulenc Phytosanitaire) and CGA 48988
(Ridomil, Ciba Geigy Corp.).

The strawberry selection 70-17-12 has been
named Tyee. This new cultivar has tolerance
or resistance to viruses, red stele, powdery
mildew, fruit rot, and the twospotted spider
mite, is well adapted to the Fraser Valley and
Pacific Northwest, and will serve the fresh-
fruit and processing markets.

Two strawberry viruses, mottle and mild
yellow edge, were eliminated consistently
from meristem tips excised from plants that
had been subjected to 37-40°C for 5-7 wk. A
third virus, veinbanding, was seldom elimi-
nated by this treatment.

Raspberry. Current selections from the
British Columbia raspberry breeding program
are immune to Amphorophora agathonica,
the aphid vector of red raspberry mosaic
virus, resistant to spur blight caused by
Didymella applanata, have the relatively
smooth canes and upright growth habit that
facilitate pruning and training for mechanical
harvesting, and have desirable fruit charac-
teristics including resistance to postharvest
rot. The cultivar Haida, released in 1973, and
Skeena, released in 1977, showed superior

RESEARCH STATION, VANCOUVER, B.C.

381

winterhardiness during the winter of 1978—
1979. Genetic studies on the inheritance of
resistance to A. agathonica have shown that
in some cultivars, e.g. Mitra, the presence of
one dominant gene in either of two gene pairs
will determine immunity; in others, e.g. Lloyd
George, aphid immunity is controlled by a
single pair of genes.

Bacteriology

Serogroups of Erwinia carotovora, the
potato soft rotting and blackleg bacteria, are
established by grouping isolates shown to be
closely related in double diffusion serological
tests. Tests in 1979 included serogroup deter-
mination of 250 E. carotovora isolates from
Peru, Scotland, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Re-
sults of these tests increased the number of
serogroups from 18 to 26. Epidemiological
studies, which involved isolations from potato
tubers grown in infested soil, showed that E.
carotovora isolates that overwinter in the soil
are not necessarily a major source of inocu-
lum.

Pseudomonas syringae was identified as the
causal agent of a leaf spot that extensively
damaged cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus,
in lower Fraser Valley nurseries. Streptomy-
cin resistance was common among isolates
from nurseries where this bactericide had
been used.

Nematology

The toxicity to nematodes of fatty acids,
their potassium salts and methyl esters, was
measured in vitro and in the greenhouse.
Potassium decanoate was the most effective in
vitro: 50 ppm achieved total control. In soil,
this chemical was not nematocidal. Gas
chromatography of soil solutions showed that
90% of this salt was insolubilized. In infested
greenhouse soil, good control was achieved
with a drench of methyldecanoate.

ENTOMOLOGY

Vectors

Little cherry disease. Dodder was shown to
be an effective vector of all three cellular
inclusions associated with LCD. Maximum
transmission occurred when the junctions
between source and receiver trees were main-
tained for 30 days. Attempts to transmit the
inclusions by dodder from cherry to 27

herbaceous hosts, mostly Rosaceae, were
unsuccessful.

Morphology and fine structure. The senso-
ria on the antennae of 28 species of aphids
from five subfamilies were compared by
scanning electron microscopy. Several types
of primary sensoria were identified according
to the number and arrangement of multipo-
rous plate organs and uniporous pegs included
in the sensorium. Mechanosensilla of three
types were also identified. Hind tibiae of the
ovipara of nine species were examined by
scanning electron microscopy. Only Tamalia
coweni (Cockerell) lacked pseudosensoria.
The stylets of a new species of aphid, Glabro-
myzus sp. nov., were sectioned and examined
by transmission electron microscopy. As with
all true aphids previously examined, the
mandibular stylets were innervated by two
dendrites contained in a central canal.

Aphid survey. Fourteen species of aphids
new to the province were identified. Eight of
these were trapped in yellow pan water traps
and six were collected on a host plant.
Another 28 new records are presently identi-
fiable only to genus: one genus was not
previously known from British Columbia and
two species are new to science. The number of
aphid species now known in British Columbia
is 325.

Aphid ecology. A predacious anystid mite
was implicated as the regulating factor of pea
aphids en alfalfa on the basis of field experi-
ments in which large predator exclusion cages
and a previously developed model of the
aphid's population dynamics were employed.
Samples from the cages before, during, and
after aphid population explosions were used to
evaluate abundance of natural enemies. The
only difference between the faunas inside and
outside the cages was a depauperate popula-
tion of anystid mites when aphids increased
most rapidly. Data collected for developing a
model of the population dynamics of the
cabbage aphid included the effect of planting
time on the rate of aphid increase; the growth
of the host plant as expressed by the fate of its
individual leaves; the survival of aphids on
dying leaves; and the predatory efficiency of a
dipterous midge (Cecidomyiidae).

Aphid vector-virus relationships. When
Myzus persicae (Sulzer) from potato leaf roll
source plants were fed for up to 15 days on
PLRV-immune Chinese cabbage, they usu-
ally maintained their ability to transmit but

382

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

the rate of transmission was often reduced.
Detection of potato leaf roll viruslike particles
in honeydew from infective aphids was not
always achieved by the usual methods of
negative staining, nor did the honeydew give a
positive result in the ELISA test for PLRV.

Pest control

Leatherjackets. To determine population
trends during the period of greatest growth
and development leatherjackets, Tipula pa-
ludosa Meigen, were counted from January
to August. Fifty larvae from each collection
were dissected and examined for parasites.
The number of leatherjackets reaching the
prepupal and pupal stage in August dropped
to 55/m2, the lowest since 1975. Parasitism by
the first generation of the tachinid fly, Si-
phona geniculata De Geer, was only 0.5% but
in the second generation it was 6%. Leather-
jackets were again heavily parasitized by
Protozoa. Diplocystis sp., Actinocephalus
tipulae Léger, Gregarina longa (Léger),
Hirmocystis ventricosa (Léger), and Nosema
binucleatum Weissenberg were found in most
collections and peaked 30 May when each
protozoan was found in 74% of the larvae
examined. Leatherjackets received from New-
foundland on 14 June had only three proto-
zoan parasites: Diplocystis sp. (92%), G.
longa (87%), and H. ventricosa (3%). No S.
geniculata have been found in larvae collected
from the release site near St. John's, Nfld.

Weeds. The gall fly Urophora styllata F.,
which attacks the flowers of bull thistle, was
released at two sites in 1973. In 1978, 32% of
the thistle heads at Ladner were infested; in
1979, 46%. At Cloverdale 96% were infested
in 1978; 84% in 1979. Infested bull thistles
were found 1 km east of the Cloverdale
release site. An additional 3000 flies were
released in the Cariboo and are well estab-
lished near Williams Lake.

Ceutorhynchus litura F., a weevil whose
larvae mine the stems and crowns of Canada
thistle, was released at Ladner in 1975. In
1979, 55% of the thistles were infested
compared with 1 1% in 1976 and 58% in 1978.
There has been no change in the population of
thistles.

Larvae of the flea beetle Longitarsus jaco-
baeae (Waterh.), released to control tansy
ragwort, were found in the roots and crowns
of all the 12 plants examined at the Nanaimo
release site, with an average of 40 per plant.
At Abbotsford only eight of the twelve plants

examined were infested, with an average of
three per plant. In 1979, 350 adults were
transferred from Abbotsford to a site near
Chilliwack and another 200 to a site near
Cultus Lake. The cinnabar moth larvae
stripped 50% of the flowering stalks but 50%
of those recovered by mid-August. Both
rosette and flowering stalk numbers were
down this year.

Root maggots, aphids, and caterpillars on
brassicas. Band and in-furrow applications of
granular or liquid insecticides were tested for
control of cabbage maggots in broccoli and
cauliflower. Chlorfenvinphos, fonofos, isofen-
phos, and terbufos all provided good protec-
tion against cabbage maggots. Chlorfen-
vinphos and fonofos granules were phytotoxic
when applied in the furrow.

Combination sprays were compared to
control aphids and caterpillars on Brussels
sprouts. Methamidophos and pirimicarb with
permethrin or Bacillus thuringiensis gave the
best overall protection; disulfoton and Safer's
soap (potassium oleate) had no effect.

Integrated control of root maggots of
brassicas. Several years' experiments to test
the interactions among the insecticides (car-
bofuran, chlorfenvinphos, isofenphos), the
carabid predators of root fly eggs, the staph-
ylinid parasite Aleochara bilineata Gyll., and
the cabbage root maggots have shown that
chlorfenvinphos is the insecticide most effec-
tive against the pest with least damage to
natural controls.

Onion maggots. Four granular and six
liquid insecticides were applied with and
without formaldehyde against onion maggots
in the furrow with the seed. All allowed less
than 4% loss of plants to onion maggots;
untreated plots averaged 95% loss. Supple-
mentary sprays did not improve the treat-
ment. Ethion and isofenphos gave the highest
yields of marketable onions.

Carrot rust fly. In an experiment to com-
pare furrow and band applications of granular
and liquid insecticides against the carrot rust
fly, infestation was too low to give meaningful
efficacy data. Diazinon and profenfos in the
furrow were phytotoxic, reducing the number
of seedlings emerging.

Pests of small fruits. The strawberry
tortrix, Acleris comariana Zeller, first re-
ported by us in 1972 as a pest of strawberry,
was held at low levels by chemical control and

RESEARCH STATION, VANCOUVER, B.C.

383

parasites until 1979, when a large population
reappeared at the original infestation site in
Richmond and, for the first time, in the major
strawberry production areas around Ab-
botsford about 60 km east of Richmond.
Counts at Abbotsford suggested preferential
feeding: the heaviest infestations were on
Tyee, Shuksan, and Totem while there were
almost no larvae on three new selections. A
laboratory test, however, showed that one of
the selections was not immune to larval
feeding, so it appears that the moth shows a
nonpreference for this selection for oviposi-
tion.

Populations of two species of cutworms,
Peridroma saucia (Hubner) and Autographa
ampla Wlk., were monitored in early spring
when raspberry growers were alarmed on
seeing the cutworms climbing the canes and
chewing off the new buds. No chemical
control was recommended and the raspberries
recovered, later producing high yields. Other
pests of sporadic or potential importance on
small fruits were also monitored including: a
plant bug, Lygus varius Knight, which was
abundant on strawberry and apparently caus-
ing severe fruit deformity; root weevils;
leafrollers and spanworms on blueberry; and
the cranberry girdler, Chrysoteuchia topiaria
(Zeller), on cranberry.

Pests of potatoes. The European wireworm
Agriotes obscurus (L.), first found at Agassiz
in 1952, is now causing severe damage to
potatoes near Cloverdale. In the past 2 yr it
has been found on an additional 10 farms
distributed over 3200 ha. In tests to control it,
in silt loam near Agassiz, fonofos was applied
by furrow or broadcast, terbufos by furrow,
and chlordane broadcast. The broadcast
treatments were rototilled to a depth of 10
cm. Chlordane broadcast with active ingredi-
ent at 1 1.2 kg/ha and fonofos broadcast with
active ingredient at 5.6 kg/ha reduced wire-
worm damage to potatoes by 78-79%. Furrow
treatments with active ingredient at 1 or 2 kg/
ha failed to protect potatoes adequately.

In the same experiment, damage (unmar-
ketable tubers) by flea beetle ranged from
63% to 100% after soil treatment alone, from
1 5% to 93% after only spray application to the
foliage, and from 2% to 72% after both soil
and foliar treatments.

In muck soil near Cloverdale, chlordane
broadcast with active ingredient at 1 1.2 kg/ha
reduced wireworm injury by 54% and fonofos

broadcast with active ingredient at 5.6 kg/ha
reduced injury by 68%. In peat, chlordane
broadcast with active ingredient at 11.2 kg/ha
gave inadequate protection.

Tubers from all chlordane-treated plots
were analyzed for residues. Chlordane resi-
dues were higher and wireworm control was
more effective in the soils with lower organic
content. Chlordane residues in potatoes were
0.26 ppm in silt loam; 0.3 ppm in well-
decomposed peat and clay; 0.01 ppm in peat.

Wireworms on corn. Chlordane broadcast
with active ingredient at 11.2 kg/ha and
fonofos broadcast with active ingredient at 4.6
kg/ha reduced the number of wireworms in
sweet corn by 96-98%.

Stored products and household pests

Inspection of flour warehouses and feed
plants on Vancouver Island revealed Mediter-
ranean flour moths, white shouldered house
moths, Australian spider beetles, varied car-
pet beetles, larder beetles, confused flour
beetles, and yellow mealworms. Advice was
given on appropriate control measures.

Two mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssi-
nus (Trouessart) and D. farinae (Hughes),
were found in mattress dust collected at
monthly intervals for 2'A yr. There was a
significant association between mites and
relative humidity. Live mites were seen only
when the relative humidity had been >50%
for at least part of every day during the month
of collection. Live mites were found only in
the warmer months, not in the winter. How-
ever, the peak in the mite population was
consistent neither for month nor for numbers.
In 1977 a slight peak in mite numbers
occurred in October; in 1978 the peak was
higher and occurred in July.

Requests for the identification of insects
and for information on their control were
received from government agencies, industry,
and the public. Records of inquiries received
over more than a decade were summarized
and analyzed.

Residue chemistry

A method for the analysis of technical
chlordane was adapted for determining these
residues in field-treated potatoes. Results
showed that residues in harvested crops were
related to the organic content of the soil. The
highest residues found were approximately
0.3 ppm.

384

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

In an investigation of the nematocidal
properties of long-chain fatty acids, a method
was developed for the analysis of capric and
caprylic acid residues in water and soil. Using
BF3 in methanol the acids were aklylated to
the methyl esters, then determined by flame
ionization gas — liquid chromatography. The
fatty alcohol, decanol, could be determined
directly without derivatization and a method
was developed to extract decanol from field-
treated soils.

A satisfactory method was finally found for
the analysis of Temik (aldicarb) and its
sulfoxide and sulfone oxidation products by
adapting a recently published method that
involves chromatographic separation of the

three compounds and oxidation of the parent
and the sulfoxide to the sulfone. In potatoes
that had been field-treated with Temik the
highest residues, >0.2 ppm, were found at
the highest application rates: with active
ingredient at 4 kg/ha in the furrow or 5.5 kg/
ha broadcast.

A study of the dissipation or degradation of
residues of carbofuran, chlorfenvinphos, and
isofenphos in carrots in frozen storage
(-18°C) was carried out over 160 days. The
carbofuran portion was discontinued owing to
low initial residues. Some chlorfenvinphos in
the samples dissipated during the first 40 days
of storage. Some isofenphos was dissipated
during the study and some was converted to
the phosphoramidate analogue.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

De Boer, S. H.; Allan, E.; Kelman, A. 1979.
Survival of Erwinia carotovora in Wisconsin
soils. Am. Potato J. 56:243-252.

De Boer, S. H.; Copeman, R. J.; Vruggink, H.
1 979. Serogroups of Erwinia carotovora potato
strains determined with diffusible somatic
antigens. Phytopathology 69:316-319.

De Boer, S. H.; Cupples, D. A.; Kelman, A. 1978.
Pectolytic Erwinia spp. in the root zone of
potato plants in relation to infestation of
daughter tubers. Phytopathology 68:1784-
1790.

Finlayson, D. G. 1979. Combined effects of soil-
incorporated and foliar-applied insecticides in
bed-system production of brassica crops. Can.
J. Plant Sci. 59:399-410.

Finlayson, D. G.; Wilkinson, A. T. S.; Mackenzie,
J. R. 1979. Efficacy of insecticides against
tuber flea beetles, wireworms and aphids in
potatoes. J. Entomol. Soc. B.C. 76:6-9.

Martel, P.; Hudon, M.; Vrain, T. C. 1979. Etats des
insectes et nematodes nuisibles dans les cul-
tures maraîchères du sud-ouest du Québec en
1977. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Que. 24:74-80.

Murray, A. B.; Zuk, P. 1979. The seasonal varia-
tion in a population of house dust mites in a
North American city. J. Allerg. Clin. Immu-
nol. 64:266-269.

Paradis, R. O.; Rivard, I.; Vrain, T. C; Mailloux,
M. 1979. Les ravageurs des cultures fruitières
du sud-ouest du Québec en 1978. Ann. Soc.
Entomol. Que. 24:81-84.

Raine, J.; Weintraub, M.; Schroeder, B. K. 1979.
Hexagonal tubules in phloem cells of little
cherry-infected trees. J. Ultrastruct. Res.
67:109-116.

Roitberg, B. D.; Myers, J. H.; Frazer, B. D. 1979.
The influence of predators on the movement of
apterous pea aphids between plants. J. Anim.
Ecol. 48:111-122.

Rowhani, A.; Stace-Smith, R. 1979. Purification
and characterization of potato leafroll virus.
Virology 98:45-54.

Turner. M. P.; Stace-Smith, R. 1979. Plant-virus
disease survey of Jamaica. FAO Plant Prot.
Bull. 27:9-11.

Van Den Bosch, R.; Horn, R.; Matteson, P.; Frazer,
B. D.; Messenger, P. S.; Davis, C. S. 1979.
Biological control of the walnut aphid in
California: Impact of the parasite, Trioxys
pallidus. Hilgardia 47:1-13.

Williams, I. H.; Brown, M. J. 1979. Persistence of
Permethrin and WL 43775 in soil. J. Agric.
Food Chem. 27:130-132.

Miscellaneous

Brown, M. J. 1979. The effect of frozen storage on
residues of two organophosphorous insecticides
in carrots. Proc. 14th Annu. Semin. Pesticide
Residue Analysts (Western Canada).

Campbell, C. J.; Brown, M. J. 1978. The effects of
storage on residue levels of fensulfothion and
carbofuran. Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978:240.

Cram, W. T. 1978. Effect of Dimilin on the hatch
of black vine weevil eggs. Pestic. Res. Rep.
1978:130.

RESEARCH STATION, VANCOUVER, B.C.

385

Cram, W. T. 1978. Effect of Dimilin on the
fecundity of the black vine weevil. Pestic. Res.
Rep. 1978:131.

Daubeny, H. A. 1978. The strawberry culitvars of
the Pacific Northwest. Fruit Var. J. 33:44-45.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. Breeding for increased pest
resistance in red raspberry. Proc. Pacific Re-
gion Can. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 1:2-3.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. Out with the old (red
raspberries). West. Fruit Grower 99:22.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. Recent observations on
raspberry varieties. Proc. Lower Mainland
Hortic. Improv. Assoc. 21:19-20.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. The 1978 observations on the
new British Columbia raspberry varieties.
Proc. West. Wash. Hortic. Assoc. 69:159-161.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. The strawberry cultivars of
the Pacific Northwest. Proc. Pac. Reg. Can.
Soc. Hortic. Sci. 1:3.

Daubeny, H. A. 1979. The Totem strawberry
cultivar. Agrologist 8:24-25.

De Boer, S. H. 1979. Erwinia carotovora contami-
nation of symptomless potato foliage, roots and
tubers. Am. Potato J. 56:458-459 (Abstract).

De Boer, S. H.; Quail, A.; Crowley, C. 1979.
Serological relationships and bacteriocin sensi-
tivity among Erwinia carotovora serogroups.
Phytopathology 69:1026 (Abstract).

Finlayson, D. G.; Brown, M. J.; Mackenzie, J. R.
1978. Effects and persistence of soil applied
insecticides. Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978:139.

Finlayson, D. G. 1979. Carbofuran: Criteria for
interpreting the effects of its use on environ-
mental quality. NRCC No. 16740. 191 pp.

Finlayson, D. G.; Gerber, H.; Wisbey, B. 1979. An
indepth look at insect control in cole crops.
Proc. Lower Mainland Hortic. Improv. Assoc.
21st Annual Short Course, 70-72.

Freeman, J. A.; Finlayson, D. G. 1979. Vegetable
responses to pesticide combinations. Can.
Agric. 24(2):28-30.

Freeman, J. A.; Pepin, H. S. 1978. Comparison of
fungicides applied at weekly and bi-weekly
intervals for the control of pre- and postharvest
fruit rot in strawberries. Pestic. Res. Rep.
1978:423.

Freeman, J. A.; Pepin, H. S. 1978. Control of pre-
and postharvest fruit rot in raspberries. Pestic.
Res. Rep. 1978:419.

Freeman, J. A.; Pepin, H. S. 1978. Evaluation of
Rovral (LFA 2043 50 WP) captan (Captan
Flowable), benomyl (Benlate 50 WP) and
Chipman (10-50% benomyl-captan) applied
at 1- and 2-week intervals for the control of
pre- and postharvest fruit rot in strawberries.
Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978: 421-422.

Freeman, J. A.; Pepin, H. S. 1978. Evaluation of
Rovral (LFA 2043 50 WP) DPX 10 (Delsene),
Chipman (10-50% benomyl-captan), BAS
35204F (Ronilan 50 WP) for the control of
pre- and postharvest fruit rot in strawberries.
Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978:420.

Mackenzie, J. R.; Finlayson, D. G. 1978. Cabbage
maggot control in direct seeded cabbage.
Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978:146.

Pepin, H. S. 1978. Evaluation of fungicides for the
control of red stele of strawberry. Pestic. Res.
Rep. 1978:424-425.

Pepin, H. S.; Maurer, A. R. 1978. Control of
Botrytis pod rot of beans. Pestic. Res. Rep.
1978:433-434.

Stace-Smith, R.; Matsumoto, T. 1979. Virus dis-
eases of small fruits: A bibliography 1973—
1978.39 pp.

Wilkinson, A. T. S. 1978. A comparison of aldicarb
and fonofos soil treatments for the control of
wireworms. Pestic. Res. Rep. 1978:250.

POSTGRADUATE THESES

In partial fulfillment of degrees granted by the Department of Plant Science, University of
British Columbia, all or a significant portion of the research was carried out at the Research
Station at Vancouver.

Haber, S. M., M.Sc. 1979. Pseudorecombinants of
cherry leafroll virus.

Molefe, T. L., Ph.D. 1979. Interactions of cowpea
strains of southern bean mosaic virus and of
tobacco mosaic virus in cowpea and pinto bean.

386

RESEARCH BRANCH REPORT 1979

PROGRAM STRUCTURE OF THE
RESEARCH BRANCH

Departmental aim

The basic aim for Agriculture Canada, within the framework of overall government objectives and in
cooperation with provincial governments, is to develop and assist the Canadian agricultural and food
system, to provide for the needs of Canadians, for export markets, and for international aid
commitments in a manner which assures: (a) a dependable supply of safe, nutritious food at
reasonable prices to consumers; and (b) equitable returns to producers and processors.

Branch objectives and goals

LAND

1 Soil management and conservation

To obtain an understanding of the properties that limit the productivity of selected soils.

GOAL 1: SOIL PROBLEMS. By 1982, to have produced information that will provide a basis for
improved management of selected problem soils, by studying their chemical, biological, and
physical properties.

2 Land use and capability

To obtain a reliable inventory of Canadian soils and to develop improved methods for their
characterization, classification, and evaluation.

GOAL 1 : SOIL SURVEY AND CLASSIFICATION. By 1 980, to have promoted better utilization of the
soil resources in selected regions of Canada, by developing a soil inventory and more reliable
methods and criteria for classifying and mapping soils.

GOAL 2 LAND EVALUATION. By 1 982, to have developed procedures for evaluating the capability
of Canadian soils for agricultural production.

WATER

1 Irrigation, drainage, and desalination

To improve water management, irrigation, and drainage on Canadian soils in order to increase
productivity.

GOAL 1 : IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE, AND DESALINATION. By 1 982, to have increased the production
potential of selected soils, by improving water use efficiency and by developing superior methods of
irrigation, drainage, and desalination.

2 Meteorological and climatic indices

To increase the use of climate resource information.

GOAL 1: METEOROLOGICAL AND CLIMATIC INDICES. By 1980, to have increased the use of
climate resource information in weather-sensitive agricultural operations, in assessing productivity,
and in research applications, by improving methodology, assessing and interpreting available data,
and deriving selected meteorological and climatic indices.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

1 Energy

To improve on-farm production and the use and conservation of energy.

GOAL 1: ENERGY UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION. By 1982, to have reduced the farmer's
dependence on fossil fuels and to have reduced energy costs in production, by applying known
technology and developing and applying new technology.

2 Environmental quality

To develop agricultural management practices consistent with production and environmental
requirements.

GOAL 1 RESIDUES AND PLANT NUTRIENTS. By 1982, to have provided information and to have
developed and applied technology for controlling pollution from the plant nutrient and residue
components of selected animal and crop production systems, by conducting field and laboratory
studies and by developing and evaluating equipment.

387

GOAL 2 PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT. By 1 980, to have established economic criteria for and to have
determined the environmental acceptability of existing and new pesticide management systems, by
using models, studying pesticides and their residues in soil, and developing and improving methods
and equipment.

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT-ANIMALS

1 Beef cattle

To improve the efficiency of beef production and the quality of beef products.

GOAL 1 SELECTION AND CROSSBREEDING. By 1 982, to have provided new information that will
make possible a 5% increase in beef yield per breeding cow, while maintaining or improving carcass
and meat quality, through a program of selection and crossbreeding.

GOAL 2 COW-CALF SYSTEMS. By 1 982, to have provided new information that will make possible
increases of 7% in calf yield per cow and 25% in calf yield per hectare, by conducting
multidisciplinary research on cow-calf systems, rangeland, forage crops, and crop residue
utilization.

GOAL 3 FEEDLOT SYSTEMS. By 1982, to have developed more economical feeding and
management systems, superior methods for processing and utilizing crop by-products and residues
as feed, preventive measures against metabolic disorders and deficiencies, and greater control of
carcass composition.

GOAL 4: INSECT PESTS. By 1983, to have developed methods of measuring levels of parasitic
infections in ruminants; defined the host-parasite interactions regulating parasitic populations of
free-living blood-sucking flies in the environment of cattle and man; and to have elucidated mosquito
populations, ecology, and control influencing Western encephalitis virus infection.

2 Dairy cattle

To improve the efficiency of milk production.

GOAL 1 : BREEDING, GENETICS, AND MANAGEMENT. By 1 980, to have provided new information
that will make possible a 10% improvement in overall efficiency of milk production, by improving
crossbreeding and intensive management systems.

GOAL 2 NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT FOR MILK PRODUCTION. By 1981, through a systems
approach, to have provided new information and superior techniques that will make possible more
economical utilization of feed resources for milk production under various geographic and
economic environments.

3 Swine

To improve the efficiency of swine production and the quality of pork and pork products.

GOAL 1 : SWINE. By 1 981 , to have provided new information that will make possible a 5% increase
in yield of pork per unit feed energy, while improving pork quality, through research on breeding,
reproductive physiology, and superior feeding and management systems.

4 Poultry

To improve the efficiency of production of eggs and poultry meat and the quality of the products.

GOAL 1: POULTRY. By 1982, to have provided new information on breeding, feeding, and
management of laying hens that will make possible increases of 4% in the weight of eggs and 1 0% in
yield of meat per unit feed energy, and new information on the factors influencing interior and shell
quality of eggs, through breeding and selection, reduction of metabolic disorders, and development
of superior feeding and management systems.

5 Sheep

To improve the efficiency of sheep production and the quality of mutton and lamb products.

GOAL 1 SHEEP. By 1982, to have provided new information that will make possible increases of
15% in lamb production per ewe and 5% in growth rate of lambs, through breeding, improved
reproductive efficiency, and development of superior feeding and management systems.

6 Honey bees and other animals

To improve the efficiency of production of honey bees and other animals, and the quality of their
products.

GOAL 1 HONEY BEES. By 1982, to have provided new information that will make possible a 2%
increase in the productivity of honey bees, by applying knowledge of pheromone chemistry,
controlling disease, and improving management practices.

GOAL 2 FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. By 1979, to have made possible a 5% increase in the

388

productivity of fur-bearing animals, by improving feeding systems, reducing losses caused by
disease, and increasing understanding of reproductive processes. (Extramural research only.)

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT-CROPS

1 Wheat

To increase production, protection, and utilization of wheat through multidisciplinary research.
GOAL 1 : WHEAT. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will make possible
a 10% increase in unit yield of durum, winter, and spring wheats, while maintaining the quality of
each crop to meet market demand, by developing superior varieties and improving management
practices.

2 Other cereal crops

To increase production, protection, and utilization of other cereal crops through multidisciplinary
research.

GOAL 1 BARLEY. By 1981, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of barley, while maintaining quality to meet market demand, by
developing superior varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 2: OATS. By 1 981 , to have provided new information and technology that will make possible a
5% increase in unit yield of oats, while maintaining quality to meet market demand, by developing
superior varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 3 CORN. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will make possible a
10% increase in unit yield of grain corn or silage corn, while maintaining quality to meet market
demand, or a 1 % increase in the area cropped with corn, by developing superior inbred or hybrid
varieties of grain and silage corn and improving management practices.

GOAL 4 RYE. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will make possible a
1 0% increase in unit yield of winter rye, by developing superior varieties and improving management
practices.

3 Oilseed crops

To increase the efficiency of production, adaptability, and quality of oilseed crops and their products
through multidisciplinary research.

GOAL 1: RAPESEED AND MUSTARD. By 1981, to have provided new information and technology
that will make possible a 3% increase in unit yield of rapeseed and mustard, and an improvement in
the quality of the seed and processed products to meet market demand, by developing superior
varieties, improving management practices, and conducting utilization research.

GOAL 2 SUNFLOWERS. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 1 0% increase in unit yield of sunflower seed in the Black soil zones, and will enable the
commercial production of sunflowers in the Brown soil zones, while maintaining or improving the
quality of the seed and processed products to meet market demand, by developing superior inbred
and hybrid varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 3: SOYBEANS. By 1979, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of soybeans, and will give an indication of their value as a crop in
nontraditional regions, while maintaining or improving quality to meet market demand, by
developing superior varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 4: FLAX. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will make possible a
5% increase in unit yield of flax, while maintaining or improving quality to meet market demand, by
developing superior varieties and improving management practices.

4 Forage crops

To increase the efficiency of forage crop production systems and the quality of forage crops through
multidisciplinary research.

GOAL 1 : FORAGE LEGUMES. By 1 982, to have provided new information and technology that will
make possible a 10% increase in unit yield of digestible dry matter in forage legume crops, by
developing superior varieties, improving management practices, and increasing seed production.

GOAL 2: FORAGE GRASSES. By 1982, to have provided new information and technology that will
make possible a 1 0% increase in unit yield of digestible dry matter in forage grasses, by developing
superior varieties, improving management practices, and increasing seed production.

5 Horticultural crops

To improve the efficiency of production and the quality of horticultural crops through multidiscipli-
nary research.

389

GOAL 1 TREE FRUITS. By 1 982, to have developed new information and technology that will make
possible a 1 0% increase in unit yield of tree fruits, while maintaining or improving their quality for
fresh and processed use, by developing superior cultivars and improving management and
utilization practices.

GOAL 2 BERRIES. By 1982, to have developed new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in berry yield, while achieving higher standards of quality for fresh and
processed use, by developing superior cultivars with greater winterhardiness and disease
resistance, and improving management practices.

GOAL 3 VEGETABLES. By 1 982, to have developed new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of vegetable crops, while achieving higher standards of quality
for fresh and processed use, by developing superior cultivars and improving management practices.

GOAL 4. POTATOES. By 1982, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of potatoes, while achieving higher standards of quality for fresh
and processed use, by developing superior cultivars and improving pest control and management
practices.

GOAL 5: ORNAMENTALS. By 1982, to have developed and introduced 12 new and improved
cultivars of greenhouse crops, nursery stock, and turf grasses that are needed by the ornamentals
trades; to have achieved a 5% increase in the yield of commercial ornamental crops, by improving
cultural practices; and to have reduced energy consumption in greenhouses to 15% lower than
previous levels.

6 Field crops

To improve the efficiency of production and quality of field crops such as tobacco, field peas,
buckwheat, new crops, and field beans.

GOAL 1: TOBACCO. By 1982, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a better understanding of tobacco quality and make possible a 1 0% increase in unit yield of
tobaccos improved to meet market demand, by developing superior cultivars, improving
management practices, and applying knowledge of tobacco quality characteristics.

GOAL 2: FIELD PEAS. By 1981, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of field peas, while maintaining or improving quality to meet
market demand, by developing superior varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 3; BUCKWHEAT. By 1982, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of buckwheat, while maintaining or improving quality to meet
market demand, by developing superior varieties and improving management practices.

GOAL 4: NEW CROPS. By 1982, to have determined the potential and suitability for commercial
production of 1 0 selected new crops, through assessment of their production and market aspects,
and to have demonstrated the method of growing, protecting, and utilizing 5 new crops previously
identified as having this potential.

GOAL 5: FIELD BEANS. By 1979, to have provided new information and technology that will make
possible a 5% increase in unit yield of field beans, while maintaining or improving quality to meet
market demand, by developing superior varieties and improving management and post-
harvest storage practices.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

1 Supportive research and development

To provide new research information on crops, animals, and soils.

GOAL 1: WINTERHARDINESS. By 1980, to have defined and described selected physiological
activities in plants, by completing biochemical and physiological studies, and to have shown how
these properties can be used to improve efficiency of crop production.

GOAL 2 NITROGEN FIXATION. By 1979, to have developed information on new or more effective
ways of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, by studying hosts, bacteria, and the biological processes.

GOAL 3 CYTOGENETICS. To develop methods of producing doubled haploids for breeding cereal
and crucifer species; to establish cell and protoplast cultures for more efficient selection of useful
mutants, for parasexual hybridization, and for whole-plant regeneration in several crop species; and
to analyze cytogenetic relationships that facilitate interspecific transfer of genes in cereal and
bromegrass species.

GOAL 4 RESEARCH SERVICES. On a continuing basis, to maintain a Canadian collection of plant
gene resources and a storage and retrieval system for gene data; to produce and distribute special

390

seed for plant breeders; and to provide research and service in electron microscopy and analytical
chemistry.

GOAL 5 ENGINEERING AND STATISTICS. On a continuing basis, to support branch and
departmental research and development, by providing services in statistical design, analysis, and
interpretation, and by developing instruments, apparatus, and equipment.

2 Protection support

To provide new general research information on the protection of crops from diseases, insects, and
weeds.

GOAL 1 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS. By 1982, to have developed new information and
technology for determining the potential for biological control of 25 major weeds, by selecting,
establishing, and assessing suitable biotic agents.

GOAL 2: INTEGRATED CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS IN RAPESEED CROPS. By 1982, to have
provided new information and technology that will make possible the development of one or more
management systems for controlling insect pests in rapeseed crops, by studying insects and their
natural control factors, and evaluating the benefit-to-cost and benefit-to-risk relationships and the
impact of control procedures on environmental quality.

GOAL 3: DISEASE AND INSECT CONTROL. By 1 982, to have achieved a better understanding of the
mode of action, degradation, and side effects of selected insecticides and fungicides, and to have
improved the control of injurious insects and fungal diseases with the use of chemical pesticides and
with the development of more effective chemical agents.

GOAL 4: CONTROL OF PLANT VIRUSES AND MYCOPLASMS. By 1 982, to have improved control of
plant viruses and mycoplasms, by developing further information on their biochemistry and
ultrastructure, their vector-host relationships, and their mechanisms of movement and infection in
plants.

GOAL 5 CONTROL OF NEMATODE DISEASES. By 1982, to have improved control of nematode
diseases, by identifying the species on major agricultural crops, studying their host-parasite
relationships, and improving the effectiveness of nematocide use in integrated control systems.

GOAL 6: WEED CONTROL WITH HERBICIDES. By 1982, to have developed environmentally safe
and effective methods for controlling selected weeds with herbicides, by studying their mode of
action, methods of application, and persistence in the environment.

GOAL 7: WEED ECOLOGY. By 1981, to have provided technological information that will make it
possible to reduce crop losses caused by weeds, by studying the ecology of 30 selected weeds and
gathering information on their biological importance, interaction with other plant species, life cycles,
reactions to herbicides and cultural management practices, and other biological characteristics.

3 Biosystematics

To clarify the taxonomy of and provide identification services for vascular plants, insects, arachnids,
nematodes, and fungi found in Canada.

GOAL 1 VASCULAR PLANTS. By 1980, to have resolved the taxonomy of selected groups of
vascular plants, particularly those relating to Canadian agriculture, by completing floristic surveys
and inventories of selected areas, developing and maintaining a National Vascular Plant Herbarium
and a collection of living plants, and providing an efficient identification and information service.

GOAL 2: INSECTS, ARACHNIDS, AND NEMATODES. By 1980, to have completed the taxonomy of
selected groups of insects, arachnids, and nematodes, particularly those relating to Canadian
agriculture, by making faunal surveys and inventories of selected areas, developing and maintaining
a national collection of these biota, and providing an efficient identification and information service.

GOAL 3: FUNGI. By 1 980, to have improved the taxonomy of selected groups of fungi, particularly
those relating to Canadian agriculture, by completing fungal surveys and inventories of selected
areas, developing and maintaining a National Herbarium and Culture Collection, and providing an
efficient identification and information service.

FARM INPUT SUPPLY

1 Machinery and structures

To provide information and technology needed for improving and better utilizing farm structures and

machinery.

GOAL 1 : MACHINERY AND STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGY. On a continuing basis, to support branch

and departmental programs on farm machinery and structures, by providing, developing, and

assessing new and existing technology.

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PROCESSING

1 Processing technology

To develop new food processing technology and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food
processing systems, including background research on the chemical and physical changes that take
place during processing, and evaluation at a pilot-plant scale, as required.

GOAL 1 FOOD PROCESSING. By 1 982, to have developed or improved technology and equipment
for extracting and utilizing components of selected plant and animal agricultural products and
converting fresh material into attractive and stable processed foods.

GOAL 2 FOOD QUALITY. By 1982, to have developed new or improved technology for measuring
and improving the quality of selected food products at intermediate and final stages of processing,
and to have improved food quality in the finished product, by studying the reactions that take place
during processing.

2 New-product development

To develop and characterize useful new ingredients or products for presentation to private industry
for evaluation and application, and to develop the technology required to produce them, including
evaluation at a pilot-plant scale, as required.

GOAL 1: NEW INGREDIENTS. By 1982, to have developed methods and processes of interest to
industry for new food ingredients with valuable functional or nutritional properties.

GOAL 2 NEW FOODS. By 1982, to have developed methods and processes of interest to industry
for new food products with commercial potential.

DISTRIBUTING
1 Stored products

To improve the technology and effectiveness of off-farm storage of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to
reduce losses in stored grains and oilseeds by controlling insects.

GOAL 1 : STORAGE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. By 1982, to have developed new information
and technology that will make possible a 10% extension of the storage life of fresh fruits and
vegetables, while maintaining or improving product quality, through physiological studies and the
development of optimum storage conditions.

GOAL 2: STORAGE OF GRAINS AND OILSEEDS. By 1982, to have developed methods and
provided recommendations that will make possible a 1 0% reduction in losses caused by infestation
of insects, mites, and fungi in cereals, oilseeds, and their products during storage, by conducting
surveys of pest populations and research on control measures.

FOOD SAFETY AND NUTRITION

1 Food safety

To increase consumer protection by conducting research to reduce antinutritional factors and
microbiological and chemical contaminants in agricultural products and foods.

GOAL 1 TOXICANTS AND CONTAMINANTS. By 1 982, to have defined potential hazards caused by
selected undesirable material in feedstuffs and foods (pathogenic organisms, mycotoxins, heavy
metals, pesticide residues, and selected food additives), by studying their occurrence and their
interactions in the food system, and to have developed control procedures to prevent their
occurrence or remove them.

2 Nutrition

To assist in improving the general level of nutrition of Canadian consumers.

GOAL 1 FOOD COMPOSITION AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY. By 1982, to have provided new
information and technology that will make it possible to improve nutrition, by breeding crops and
animals, monitoring the composition of animal and plant material, formulating food products derived
from them, and determining the availability of selected nutrients.

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STRUCTURE DU PROGRAMME DE LA
DIRECTION DE LA RECHERCHE

Objectif du Ministère

L'objectif fondamental du ministère de l'Agriculture du Canada, dans le cadre de l'ensemble des
objectifs gouvernementaux et en collaboration avec les gouvernements provinciaux, est de dévelop-
per le réseau agro-alimentaire canadien et de l'aider à réprondre aux besoins des marchés national
et étrangers et à remplir ses engagements en matière d'aide internationale de manière à assurer (a)
aux consommateurs, un approvisionnement sur d'aliments sains et nutritifs à prix raisonnable et (fc>)
aux producteurs et aux transformateurs, une rémunération équitable.

Objectifs et buts de la Direction

TERRE

1 Gestion et conservation des sols

Trouver les principales causes qui nuisent à la productivité de certains sols.

BUT 1: PROBLÈMES PÉDOLOGIQUES. D'ici 1982, chercher de nouveaux moyens d'améliorer la
pratique de sols sélectionnés, par l'étude de leurs caractéristiques chimiques, biologiques et
physiques.

2 Utilisation et ressources des terres

Constituer un inventaire complet des sols canadiens et améliorer des méthodes pour mieux les
caractériser, les classifier et les évaluer.

BUT 1: PROSPECTION ET CLASSIFICATION DES SOLS. D'ici 1980, rendre possible une meilleure
utilisation des ressources pédologiques dans certaines régions du Canada en constituant un
inventaire et en établissant des méthodes et des critères plus efficaces de classification et de
cartographie des sols.

BUT 2: ÉVALUATION DES TERRES. D'ici 1 982, élaborer des méthodes d'évaluation des ressources
pédologiques canadiennes pour la production agricole.

EAU

1 Irrigation, drainage et dessalinisation

Améliorer les techniques d'utilisation des ressources hydriques, l'irrigation et le drainage des sols
canadiens dans le but d'en améliorer la productivité.

BUT 1: IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE ET DESSALINISATION. D'ici 1982, augmenter le potentiel de
production de sols sélectionnés en accroissant l'efficacité de l'utilisation des ressources hydriques
et en mettant au point de meilleures méthodes d'irrigation, de drainage et de dessalinisation.

2 Indices météorologiques et climatologiques

Accroître l'utilisation des données météorologiques.

BUT 1 : INDICES MÉTÉOROLOGIQUES ET CLIMATOLOGIQUES. D'ici 1 980, accroître l'utilisation de
l'information climatologique, particulièrement en ce qui a trait aux opérations agricoles tributaires
du climat, au chapitre des prévisions sur la productivité et dans le domaine de l'application des
recherches, grâce à l'amélioration des méthodes, l'évaluation et l'interprétation des données
disponibles obtenues à la suite d'une sélection d'indices météorologiques et climatologiques.

ÉNERGIE ET QUALITÉ DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT

1 Énergie

Améliorer la production, l'utilisation et la conservation de l'énergie sur l'exploitation.

BUT 1: UTILISATION ET CONSERVATION DE L'ÉNERGIE. D'ici 1982, atténuer la dépendance de
l'agriculteur envers les combustibles fossiles et réduire les coûts de l'énergie utilisée dans la
production par l'application des techniques actuelles et par le développement et l'application de
techniques nouvelles.

2 Qualité de l'environnement

Élaborer des pratiques de gestion agricole correspondant à la production et respectant
l'environnement.

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BUT 1 RESIDUS ET ÉLÉMENTS NUTRITIFS VÉGÉTAUX. D'ici 1 982, grâce à des études sur le terrain
et en laboratoire ainsi qu'à la mise au point et à l'évaluation du matériel nécessaire à cette fin, mettre
au point des données et des techniques nouvelles de contrôle de la pollution causée par les éléments
nutritifs végétaux et les résidus de divers systèmes de production animale et végétale.
BUT 2 UTILISATION DES PESTICIDES. D'ici 1 980, déterminer les critères économiques et l'accep-
tabilité pour l'environnement des systèmes actuels et futurs d'utilisation des pesticides, par l'emploi
de modèles, par des études sur les pesticides et leurs résidus dans le sol ainsi que par l'élaboration
et l'amélioration des méthodes et du matériel utilisés.

PRODUCTION AGRO-ALIMENTAIRE (ANIMAUX)

1 Bovins de boucherie

Accroître l'efficacité de la production bovine et améliorer la qualité des produits.
BUT 1 SELECTION ET CROISEMENT. D'ici 1982, mettre au point de nouvelles données qui
permettront d'accroître de 5% les rendements en viande par vache reproductrice, tout en mainte-
nant ou en améliorant la qualité des carcasses et de la viande, grâce à la mise en oeuvre d'un
programme de sélection et de croisement.

BUT 2 SYSTÈME D'ÉLEVAGE VACHE-VEAU. D'ici 1982, mettre au point de nouvelles données qui
permettront d'accroître de 7% la production de veaux par vache et de 25% celle de veaux par
hectare, grâce à des recherches multidisciplinaires sur les systèmes d'élevage vache-veau, les
prairies, les cultures fourragères et les déchets des cultures.

BUT 3 PARCS D'ENGRAISSEMENT. D'ici 1982, développer des systèmes plus économiques
d'alimentation et de conduite des troupeaux, améliorer les méthodes de transformation et d'utilisa-
tion des sous-produits et des déchets de culture comme aliments, adopter des mesures préventives
contre les troubles et les déficiences métaboliques et améliorer le contrôle de la composition des
carcasses.

BUT 4 INSECTES NUISIBLES. D'ici 1 983, mettre au point des méthodes pour mesurer le niveau de
parasitisme chez les ruminants; définir les interactions hôte-parasite régissant les populations
parasites des mouches sauvages hémophages dans l'environnement des bovins et de l'homme et
élucider le rôle des populations de moustiques, de leur comportement et des moyens de lutte dans
l'ètiologie du virus de l'encéphalite.

2 Bovins laitiers

Accroître l'efficacité de la production laitière.

BUT 1 : REPRODUCTION, GÉNÉTIQUE ET CONDUITE DES TROUPEAUX. D'ici 1 980, mettre au point
des données qui permettront d'accroître de 1 0% l'efficacité globale de la production laitière grâce à
des techniques de croisement et des systèmes de production intensive.

BUT 2 NUTRITION ET GESTION DE LA PRODUCTION LAITIÈRE. D'ici 1981, mettre au point des
techniques améliorées et des données nouvelles permettant l'utilisation optimale des aliments dans
la production laitière en fonction des diverses conditions géographiques et économiques.

3 Porcs

Accroître l'efficacité de la production porcine et améliorer la qualité de la viande et des produits du
porc.

BUT 1 PORCS. D'ici 1 981 , mettre au point de nouvelles données qui permettront d'accroître de 5%
le rendement de porc par unité d'énergie alimentaire tout en améliorant la qualité de la viande par
des recherches sur l'amélioration génétique, la physiologie de la reproduction et la mise au point de
meilleurs systèmes d'alimentation et de gestion.

4 Volailles

Accroître l'efficacité de la production des oeufs et améliorer la qualité des produits.
BUT 1 VOLAILLES. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point de nouvelles données sur l'amélioration génétique,
l'alimentation et la conduite des pondeuses qui permettront d'accroître de 4% le poids des oeufs et
de 10% la production de viande par unité d'énergie alimentaire, en plus de mettre au point de
nouvelles données sur les facteurs déterminants de la qualité intérieure de l'oeuf et de sa coquille,
par la reproduction et la sélection, et aussi par la diminution des troubles du métabolisme et la mise
au point de meilleurs systèmes d'alimentation et de conduite des troupeaux.

5 Moutons

Améliorer l'efficacité de l'élevage ovin et la qualité des produits du mouton et de l'agneau.

BUT 1 MOUTONS. D'ici 1 982, grâce à l'amélioration des races et à l'efficacité de la reproduction
ainsi qu'à l'élaboration de meilleurs systèmes d'alimentation et de conduite des troupeaux, mettre au

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point de nouvelles données qui permettront d'accroître de 1 5% la production d'agneau par brebis et
de 5% le taux de croissance des agneaux.

6 Abeilles et autres animaux

Accroître l'efficacité de la production des abeilles et des autres animaux et améliorer la qualité de
leurs produits.

BUT 1 ABEILLES. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point de nouvelles données qui permettront d'accroître de
2% la productivité des abeilles, grâce à des recherches sur les phéromones, à la réduction de
l'incidence des maladies et à l'amélioration de la conduite des ruchers.

BUT 2 ANIMAUX À FOURRURE. D'ici 1 979. accroître de 5% la production d'animaux à fourrure en
améliorant les systèmes d'alimentation et l'efficacité de la reproduction et en réduisant l'incidence
des maladies. (Recherches extra-muros seulement)

DÉVELOPPEMENT DE LA PRODUCTION (CULTURES)

1 Blé

Poursuivre des recherches multidisciplinaires pour améliorer la production, la protection et l'utilisa-
tion du blé canadien.

BUT 1 BLÉ. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire des blés durs, d'hiver et de printemps, tout en maintenant
la qualité de chaque culture pour répondre aux besoins du marché, grâce à la création de variétés
supérieures et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

2 Autres cultures céréalières

Poursuivre des recherches multidisciplinaires pour améliorer la production, la protection et l'utilisa-
tion des autres cultures céréalières du Canada.

BUT 1 ORGE. D'ici 1981, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire d'orge, tout en maintenant la qualité pour satisfaire la
demande du marché, grâce à la création de variétés supérieures et à l'amélioration des pratiques
culturales.

BUT 2 AVOINE. D'ici 1981, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire de l'avoine, tout en maintenant la qualité pour répondre aux
besoins du marché, par la création de variétés supérieures et l'amélioration des pratiques
culturales.

BUT 3 MAIS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire du maïs-grain ou du maïs d'ensilage, tout en maintenant la
qualité pour satisfaire la demande du marché, ou accroître de 1% la superficie cultivée de maïs,
grâce à la création de variétés autofécondées supérieures et d'hybrides supérieurs de maïs-grain et
de maïs d'ensilage et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 4 SEIGLE. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles qui permettront
d'accroître de 10% le rendement unitaire du seigle d'hiver, grâce à la création de variétés
supérieures et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

3 Oléagineux

Mener des recherches multidisciplinaires pour améliorer l'efficacité de la production, l'adaptabilitè
et la qualité des oléagineux et de leurs produits.

BUT 1 COLZA ET MOUTARDE. D'ici 1 981 , mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 3% le rendement unitaire du colza et de la moutarde et d'améliorer la
qualité de la graine et de ses produits pour répondre aux besoins du marché, grâce à la création de
variétés supérieures, à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales et à des recherches axées sur
l'utilisation du produit.

BUT 2 TOURNESOL. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles qui
permettront d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire des graines de tournesol dans les zones de
sol noir et la production de graines de tournesol dans les zones de sol brun, tout en maintenant ou en
améliorant la qualité de la graine et de ses produits pour répondre à la demande des marchés, par la
création de variétés autofécondées supérieures et d'hybrides supérieurs et l'amélioration des
pratiques culturales.

BUT 3: SOJA. D'ici 1979, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire du soja et de déterminer sa valeur comme culture possible
dans de nouvelles régions, tout en maintenant ou en améliorant sa qualité pour répondre aux besoins
du marché, grâce à la création de variétés supérieures et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.
BUT 4 LIN. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant

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d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire du lin, tout en conservant ou en améliorant la qualité pour
répondre aux besoins du marché, par la création de variétés supérieures et l'amélioration des
pratiques culturales.

4 Cultures fourragères

Poursuivre des recherches multidisciplinaires pour augmenter l'efficacité des systèmes de produc-
tion de cultures fourragères ainsi que la qualité de ces dernières.

BUT 1 LEGUMINEUSES. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire en matière sèche digestible des légumineuses,
grâce à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales, à la création de variétés supérieures et à l'accroisse-
ment de la production de semences.

BUT 2 GRAMINÉES. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 10% le rendement unitaire en matière sèche digestible des graminées,
grâce à l'amélioration de pratiques culturales, à la création de variétés supérieures et à l'accroisse-
ment de la production de semences.

5 Horticulture

Améliorer, par le biais de la recherche multidisciplinaire, l'efficacité de la production et de la qualité
des cultures horticoles.

BUT 1 FRUITS DE VERGER. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire des fruits de verger, tout en maintenant ou en
améliorant les normes de qualité des produits frais et transformés, grâce à la création de meilleurs
cultivars et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 2 PETITS FRUITS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 5% le rendement des petits fruits, tout en respectant des normes plus
élevées de qualité des produits frais et transformés, grâce à la création de cultivars supérieurs
résistant mieux au froid et à la maladie et grâce à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 3 LÉGUMES. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'augmenter de 5% le rendement unitaire des légumes, tout en respectant des normes plus élevées
de qualité des produits frais et transformés, grâce à la création de meilleurs cultivars et à
l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 4 POMMES DE TERRE. D'ici 1982. mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles
permettant d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire des pommes de terre, tout en respectant des
normes plus élevées de qualité des produits frais et transformés, grâce à la création de meilleurs
cultivars et de meilleurs moyens de lutte contre les ravageurs et à l'amélioration des pratiques
culturales.

BUT 5: PLANTES ORNEMENTALES. D'ici 1 982, créer et introduire 1 2 nouveaux cultivars améliorés
de plantes de serre, de pépinière et de graminées à gazon correspondant à la demande de ce
marché; accroître de 5% la productivité du secteur commercial des plantes ornementales par
l'amélioration des pratiques culturales; enfin, réduire de 15% la consommation d'énergie dans les
serres.

6 Grandes cultures

Améliorer l'efficacité de la production et la qualité des grandes cultures comme le tabac, les pois, les
haricots, le sarrasin et les nouvelles cultures.

BUT 1 TABAC. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'élargir les connaissances sur la qualité des tabacs et d'accroître de 1 0% le rendement unitaire des
variétés de tabac améliorées en vue de répondre à la demande du marché, par la création de
meilleurs cultivars, l'amélioration des pratiques culturales et l'application des connaissances
acquises dans le domaine de la qualité du tabac.

BUT 2 POIS DE GRANDE CULTURE. D'ici 1981, mettre au point des données et des techniques
nouvelles permettant d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire des pois, tout en maintenant ou en
améliorant la qualité pour répondre à la demande du marché, grâce à la création de variétés
supérieures et à l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 3 SARRASIN. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire du sarrasin, tout en maintenant ou en améliorant la qualité
pour répondre à la demande du marché, grâce à la création de variétés supérieures et à
l'amélioration des pratiques culturales.

BUT 4 NOUVELLES CULTURES. D'ici 1982, déterminer les possibilités d'implantation de 10
nouvelles cultures par l'évaluation des conditions de production et de mise au marché, et mettre au

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point les méthodes de production, de protection et d'utilisation de 5 nouvelles cultures dont les
possibilités ont déjà été reconnues.

BUT 5 HARICOTS. D'ici 1 979, mettre au point des données et des techniques nouvelles permettant
d'accroître de 5% le rendement unitaire des haricots, tout en maintenant ou en améliorant la qualité
pour répondre à la demande du marché, grâce à la création de variétés supérieures et à
l'amélioration des pratiques culturales et des méthodes d'entreposage.

APPUI À LA PRODUCTION

1 Recherches et développements

Fournir de nouvelles données concernant les recherches sur les cultures, les animaux et les sols.

BUT 1 : RUSTICITÉ. D'ici 1 980, définir et décrire diverses activités physiologiques des végétaux par
des études biochimiques et physiologiques et montrer comment ces caractéristiques peuvent être
utilisées pour améliorer l'efficacité des productions culturales.

BUT 2: FIXATION DE L'AZOTE. D'ici 1 979, mettre au point des données sur les méthodes nouvelles
ou améliorées de fixation de l'azote dans l'atmosphère, par l'étude des hôtes, des bactéries et des
fonctions biologiques.

BUT 3: CYTOGÉNÉTIQUE. Élaborer des méthodes de production de cultivars diploïdes à partir
d'haploïdes, y compris les céréales et les cruciféracées; progresser dans l'établissement de cultures
cellulaires et de protoplastes pour une meilleure sélection des mutants en demande, pour la création
d'hybrides parasexuels et pour la régénération de plantes entières appartenant à plusieurs espèces
culturales; élucider les relations cytogénétiques facilitant le transfert génétique entre diverses
espèces de céréales et de luzerne.

BUT 4: SERVICES DE RECHERCHES. Maintenir de façon permanente une collection canadienne
des ressources phytogénétiques ainsi qu'une banque et un système de récupération de données
génétiques; produire des semences spéciales à l'intention des phytosèlectionneurs et assurer leur
distribution; assurer un service de microscopie électronique et de recherche chimio-analytique.

BUT 5 GÉNIE ET STATISTIQUE. Appuyer de façon permanente les programmes de recherches et de
développements de la Direction et du Ministère par l'élaboration, l'analyse et l'interprétation des
statistiques et la conception d'instruments, d'appareils et d'équipement.

2 Protection

Mettre au point de nouvelles données de recherches applicables de façon générale à la protection
des cultures contre les maladies, les insectes et les mauvaises herbes.

BUT 1: LUTTE BIOLOGIQUE CONTRE LES MAUVAISES HERBES. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des
données et des techniques nouvelles permettant de déterminer les possibilités de succès de la lutte
biologique contre 25 des plus importantes mauvaises herbes, par la sélection, la création et
l'évaluation d'agents biotiques appropriés.

BUT 2: LUTTE INTÉGRÉE CONTRE LES INSECTES DU COLZA. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des
données et des techniques nouvelles qui permettront l'élaboration d'un ou de plusieurs systèmes de
lutte contre les insectes du colza, en menant des recherches sur ces insectes et leurs prédateurs et
en évaluant les rapports coùt-bènéfice et risque-bénéfice et l'impact des méthodes de lutte sur la
qualité de l'environnement.

BUT 3 MALADIES ET LUTTE CONTRE LES INSECTES. D'ici 1982, élargir les connaissances des
modes d'action, de dégradation et des effets secondaires de divers insecticides et fongicides et
rendre possible la lutte améliorée contre les insectes dangereux et les maladies fongiques par les
pesticides chimiques, tout en développant des agents chimiques plus efficaces.

BUT 4: LUTTE CONTRE LES VIROSES ET LES MYCOPLASMES. D'ici 1 982, améliorer les méthodes
de lutte contre les virus et les mycoplasmes des végétaux en menant des études plus poussées sur
leur biochimie et leur ultrastructure, les rapports vecteur-hôte et les mécanismes de propagation et
d'infection.

BUT 5 LUTTE CONTRE LES NEMATODES. D'ici 1982, améliorer les méthodes de lutte contre les
maladies causées par les nematodes en identifiant les espèces qui s'attaquent aux principales
cultures, en étudiant les rapports hôte-parasite et en déterminant les méthodes d'utilisation les plus
efficaces des nèmaticides dans la lutte intégrée contre les ravageurs.

BUT 6 LUTTE CONTRE LES MAUVAISES HERBES PAR LES HERBICIDES. D'ici 1982, mettre au
point des méthodes de lutte efficaces et non dommageables à l'environnement, capables d'éliminer
certaines mauvaises herbes au moyen d'herbicides, grâce à des études sur leur mode d'action, les
façons de les appliquer et leur persistance dans l'environnement.

BUT 7 ÉCOLOGIE DES MAUVAISES HERBES. D'ici 1981, mettre au point des données et des

397

techniques nouvelles permettant de réduire les pertes de récoltes causées par les mauvaises
herbes, grâce à l'étude écologique de 30 mauvaises herbes sélectionnées et à la collecte de
données sur leur importance biologique, sur leur interaction avec d'autres espèces végétales, sur
leur cycle vital, sur leur réaction aux herbicides et aux pratiques culturales et sur leurs autres
caractéristiques biologiques.

3 Biosystématique

Clarifier la taxonomie et assurer un service efficace d'identification des plantes vasculaires, des
insectes, des arachnides, des nematodes et des champignons du Canada.

BUT 1 PLANTES VASCULAIRES. D'ici 1980, résoudre les problèmes relatifs à la taxonomie de
groupes sélectionnés de plantes vasculaires, en particulier celles qui intéressent le secteur agricole
canadien, en effectuant des relevés floristiques et en constituant des répertoires de la flore pour les
régions choisies, en montant et en conservant un herbier de plantes vasculaires ainsi qu'une
collection de plantes vivantes et en fournissant, à partir de ces travaux, un service efficace
d'information et d'identification.

BUT 2 INSECTES, ARACHNIDES ET NEMATODES. D'ici 1 980, compléter la taxonomie de groupes
sélectionnés d'insectes, d'arachnides et de nematodes, particulièrement ceux qui intéressent le
secteur agricole canadien, en effectuant des relevés de la faune, en dressant des répertoires pour les
régions choisies, en montant et en conservant une collection nationale de ces biotes et en
fournissant, à partir de ces travaux, un service efficace d'identification et d'information.

BUT 3 CHAMPIGNONS. D'ici 1980, améliorer la taxonomie de groupes sélectionnés de champi-
gnons, surtout ceux qui intéressent le secteur agricole canadien, en effectuant des relevés mycologi-
ques et en constituant des répertoires des champignons pour les régions choisies, en montant et en
conservant un herbier national et une collection des cultures de champignons et en fournissant, à
partir de ces travaux, un service efficace d'identification et d'information.

FACTEURS DE PRODUCTION AGRICOLE
1 Machinerie et structures

Mettre au point des données et des techniques nécessaires à l'amélioration et à une meilleure
utilisation des structures et de la machinerie agricoles.

BUT 1 : TECHNOLOGIE DE LA MACHINERIE ET DES STRUCTURES. Appuyer de façon permanente
les programmes de la Direction et du Ministère concernant la machinerie et les structures agricoles
en fournissant, développant et évaluant les techniques courantes et nouvelles.

TRANSFORMATION

1 Technologie de la transformation

Elaborer de nouvelles techniques de transformation alimentaire et améliorer l'efficacité des systè-
mes de transformation, en favorisant la recherche de base sur les modifications chimiques et
physiques que subissent les aliments au cours de la transformation ainsi que l'évaluation à l'échelle
des établissements, le cas échéant.

BUT 1 TRANSFORMATION ALIMENTAIRE. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point ou améliorer des techniques
et de l'équipement afin d'extraire et d'utiliser des composantes de produits agricoles sélectionnés,
d'origine végétale ou animale, et afin de convertir des produits frais en aliments transformés qui se
conservent bien et ont une apparence savoureuse.

BUT 2 QUALITÉ DES ALIMENTS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des techniques nouvelles ou
perfectionnées de mesures et d'amélioration de la qualité de divers produits alimentaires sélection-
nés au niveau intermédiaire et final de leur transformation et rehausser la qualité des produits
alimentaires finis par une meilleure connaissance des réactions qui surviennent au cours de la
transformation.

2 Développement de nouveaux produits

Mettre au point et caractériser des ingrédients ou produits nouveaux et utiles en vue de les soumettre

au secteur privé pour évaluation et fabrication, et mettre au point également la technologie

nécessaire à leur production, y compris leur évaluation par des projets-pilotes, le cas échéant.

BUT 1 NOUVEAUX INGRÉDIENTS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des méthodes et des procédés

intéressant le secteur chargé de trouver de nouveaux ingrédients alimentaires qui pourraient offrir

des propriétés fonctionnelles et nutritionnelles valables.

BUT 2 NOUVEAUX ALIMENTS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des méthodes et des procédés qui

permettront aux secteurs intéressés de développer de nouveaux produits alimentaires

commercialisables.

398

DISTRIBUTION

1 Produits entreposés

Améliorer les techniques et l'efficacité de l'entreposage des fruits et des légumes frais hors des
exploitations; dans les entrepôts, réduire les pertes de céréales et d'oléagineux par une lutte
soutenue contre les insectes. ,

BUT 1 ENTREPOSAGE DES FRUITS ET DES LÉGUMES. D'ici 1 982, mettre au point des données et
des techniques nouvelles qui permettront une prolongation de 1 0% de la conservation en entrepôt
des fruits et légumes frais, tout en maintenant ou en améliorant leur qualité, grâce à des études
physiologiques et à l'élaboration de meilleures conditions d'entreposage.

BUT 2 ENTREPOSAGE DES CÉRÉALES ET DES OLÉAGINEUX. D'ici 1 982, élaborer des méthodes
et faire les recommandations permettant de réduire de 1 0% les pertes que causent les insectes, les
acariens et les champignons aux céréales, aux oléagineux et à leurs produits en entreposage, grâce
à des études sur les populations de parasites et des recherches sur les moyens de lutte.

SALUBRITÉ DES ALIMENTS ET NUTRITION

1 Salubrité

Augmenter la protection du consommateur par des recherches visant à diminuer les facteurs
antinutritionnels et les contaminants microbiologiques et chimiques dans les produits agricoles et
les aliments.

BUT 1: PRODUITS TOXIQUES ET CONTAMINANTS. D'ici 1982, définir les dangers possibles de
divers produits indésirables que renferment les aliments de consommation animale et humaine
(organismes pathogènes, mycotoxines, métaux lourds, résidus d'antiparasitaires et additifs alimen-
taires divers), grâce à des recherches sur leur taux dans les aliments et leur interaction sur le circuit
alimentaire, et élaborer des méthodes de contrôle pour leur prévention ou leur retrait.

2 Nutrition

Contribuer à l'amélioration du régime alimentaire général du consommateur canadien.

BUT 1 COMPOSITION ET VALEUR NUTRITIVE DES ALIMENTS. D'ici 1982, mettre au point des
données et des techniques nouvelles permettant de rehausser la valeur nutritive des aliments par
l'amélioration végétale et animale, par le contrôle de la composition des sources alimentaires
animales et végétales, par la formulation des produits alimentaires qui en sont dérivés et par
l'évaluation de la disponibilité de divers éléments nutritifs dans les aliments.

399

f^e

DATE DUE

GAYLORD

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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Full text of "Research Branch report, 1979 = Rapport de la Direction de la recherche, 1979"

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